'Ferrari's Mekies prepares for move to AlphaTauri'
F1 News
- GPblog.com
Laurent Mekies may be swapping Ferrari for AlphaTauri. According to the usually well-informed Gazzetta dello Sport, Ferrari's current race director will leave for Red Bull's sister team somewhere within the next 12 months.
Mekies' switch would depend on how strict his current contract is. Should a deal be reached, the Frenchman could transfer to AlphaTauri already during the course of this season. If not, he will make his appearance at Faenza for the 2024 season.
Mekies' possible departure is the next in a series of internal changes since team boss Frederic Vasseur took over. Head of Aerodynamics David Sanchez is leaving Italy to join McLaren. Head strategist Inaki Rueda was replaced by Ravin Jain. For Mekies himself, it would mark a return to his roots: some 20 years ago, Mekies had worked at Minardi and stayed on with the team when it changed to Toro Rosso.
Will Mekies be Tost's successor?
The timing is rather remarkable: AlphaTauri team boss Franz Tost recently announced that he wants to be gone from Formula 1 before his 70th birthday, meaning he will leave after the 2025 season at the latest. Mekies has been linked with a possible position as team boss before. After Mattia Binotto left as Ferrari team boss in late 2022, Mekies was one of those seen as a logical successor to the Italian. In the end, that position went to Vasseur.
According to the Gazzetta, this choice played a role in Mekies' decision to move to AlphaTauri. The Frenchman was Binnotto's right-hand man for many years and is said to feel passed over within the organisation. With over two decades of experience in Formula 1 and history at the FIA, Mekies is a valuable asset for Red Bull's sister team.