Laurent Mekies was widely considered the strongest internal candidate to take over as Ferrari team principal following Mattia Binotto’s departure at the end of the 2022 Formula 1 season. However, the Maranello-based team decided to overlook him and instead appointed Fred Vasseur to lead their Formula 1 operation.
Mattia Binotto resigned before he could be dismissed, after Ferrari’s 2022 championship challenge with Charles Leclerc collapsed. The campaign had fallen apart due to a mix of reliability issues, strategic blunders, and inconsistent car performance. Mekies, who joined Ferrari in 2018 as sporting director and later became deputy team principal in 2021, seemed a natural successor. Yet, Ferrari’s management opted for a fresh face from outside — Fred Vasseur, who had guided Alfa Romeo (now Sauber) to an impressive sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship in 2022.
Fred Vasseur brought with him a solid reputation, having previously managed Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg to GP2 titles with ART Grand Prix, and later serving as team principal at Renault. He also had a close working relationship with Charles Leclerc, who drove for Alfa Romeo before joining Ferrari, which further strengthened his candidacy for the top job.
Ferrari’s doubts over Mekies’ leadership potential
According to the Italian media, Ferrari’s upper management concluded that Laurent Mekies was “unfit for a top role” at the time. While they appreciated his technical background and experience as racing director, they reportedly doubted whether he had the authority, charisma, and composure required to lead the Scuderia as team principal — a position that comes with immense scrutiny and pressure from both media and fans.
Those reservations, however, now seem to have been misplaced. After leaving Ferrari midway through 2023, Laurent Mekies joined Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri), where he quickly impressed. Following Christian Horner’s controversial departure in July 2025, Red Bull promoted the Frenchman to the top role — and since then, the Milton Keynes outfit has undergone a remarkable revival.
Under Mekies’ leadership, Max Verstappen has re-emerged as a serious title contender, winning three of the last seven Grands Prix and two Sprint races. The Dutchman, who had earlier expressed doubts about his championship chances, now finds himself back in the hunt, largely due to the team’s renewed stability and focus. Red Bull have also climbed to within just ten points of second place in the Constructors’ standings — a huge improvement after they appeared stuck in fourth earlier in the season.
While Laurent Mekies cannot take full credit for Red Bull’s technical progress, the Italian media highlighted how he has “restored order and infused motivation” across the organization. His management style has reportedly brought “unity and ambition” to the team — two qualities that insiders believe have been lacking at Ferrari in recent years.
John Elkann’s renewed faith in Fred Vasseur amid Ferrari’s challenges
Ferrari chairman John Elkann recently reaffirmed his trust in Fred Vasseur, despite ongoing pressure from within the paddock. The statement came only three months after Fred Vasseur had signed a contract extension, suggesting that the team’s leadership felt the need to publicly reinforce confidence in their team principal.
Fred Vasseur, however, has faced growing criticism for Ferrari’s decision to end development of the SF-25 early, effectively sacrificing short-term results to prioritize the 2026 car project. The move contrasts sharply with Red Bull’s approach under Laurent Mekies, as they continue refining the RB21 in a last-ditch effort to challenge McLaren and fight for race wins.
Fred Vasseur admits to underestimating the ‘psychological’ cost
Speaking during the United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin, Fred Vasseur conceded that he may have misjudged the “psychological impact” of halting car development too early. He explained that while the decision was intended to give Ferrari a head start under the drastically different 2026 regulations, it has come at the expense of the team’s momentum and morale.
As a result, Ferrari are now on the brink of enduring what would be only their fifth winless season of the 21st century. Before the race in Austin, the team had gone six consecutive Grands Prix without a single podium finish, a statistic that underscores the growing frustration inside Maranello.
Meanwhile, Laurent Mekies’ success story serves as a reminder of what Ferrari might have had if they had trusted him to lead their Formula 1 operation in 2023. His steady hand and ability to motivate personnel have transformed Red Bull’s form — and perhaps highlighted one of Ferrari’s most significant missed opportunities in recent years.
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