Ferrari - Red Bull negotiations: parties close to agreement on Laurent Mekies exit

Much more was expected, but the Monaco Grand Prix marked another inconsistent weekend for Scuderia Ferrari. The SF-23 proved to be difficult to drive, both with high fuel loads and in wet conditions in the second part of the race. The downforce generated at lower speeds is insufficient to put the drivers in a position to attack a track like Monte Carlo, where confidence is everything. Technically, the upcoming weekend will be crucial in shaping the trajectory of the 2023 Formula One season for the Maranello team.

Meanwhile, in the Principality, the Laurent Mekies issue seems to have been resolved.

Ferrari already has a plan in place to replace Laurent Mekies. The French manager’s time alongside Fred Vasseur, formerly Mattia Binotto’s deputy, is coming to an end. The team in Maranello stood firm after the one-sided statement issued by AlphaTauri, Red Bull’s satellite team, which was officially deemed somewhat aggressive (but in reality considered quite strong).

Ferrari chairman John Elkann appeared on Friday for a day of meetings, and it was obviously not a coincidence. A meeting was organized between him, Fred Vasseur and Christian Horner to resolve the Laurent Mekies matter. We know that the issue is closely linked to technicians who need to be released and who have already agreed to move to Maranello.

The aggressiveness used to publicize Laurent Mekies’ appointment was likely intended to apply pressure, but it doesn’t seem to have succeeded. Generally, the one who enters someone else’s hospitality doesn’t hold a position of strength.

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If, as it seems, a preliminary agreement has been reached, both parties are heading towards six months of gardening on the chessboard. This would mean that Laurent Mekies would be available until the end of June, although it cannot be ruled out that we won’t see him on the pit wall as early as Barcelona.

The new figure has been identified, and the plan is ready, along with the updates, which have been described as highly visible. However, Frederic Vasseur himself ruled out a new front suspension. We will learn more details about the updates in a few days at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló, where the teams will return to a technically significant track, especially after the reinstatement of the old third sector with its two high-speed corners, allowing for a true measurement of progress, as explained by Formula 1 expert Giuliano Duchessa in a recent article for the Italian website formu1a.uno.