Why Laurent Mekies left Ferrari amid ambitions and management changes in Maranello

Ferrari had many problems, one of them was called Laurent Mekies. His “invaluable” collaboration was praised by Frederic Vasseur upon the French manager’s arrival in Maranello at the end of the previous season. Over time, we understood that it was only so for Frederic Vasseur, evidently. The French manager needed “a friend” within the team to help him rebuild a strong and cohesive squad. Laurent Mekies seemed inclined to stay until something changed.

Gino Rosato and Jonathan Giacobazzi had already left the team. After that, the strategy wizard Iñaki Rueda was removed from his role on the pit wall, although he effectively continues to occupy a seat within the Maranello team in the remote garage. In his place is Ravin Jain, a presumed bright individual who, until now, seems to be following in the footsteps of his Spanish predecessor. Lastly, the technical departure of David Sanchez, who effectively chose to “escape” from Maranello to join McLaren.

At this point, the reaction of the former FIA commissioner from Tours has increased exponentially. Will he be missed by Ferrari? Who knows. To answer this question, we could quickly sum up his tenure at the court of the Prancing Horse. Doing so, we believe that no one will tear their hair out in Maranello.

There are various perplexities about Laurent’s modus operandi. One, in particular, concerns the argument related to the review requested from the FIA regarding the penalty suffered by Sebastian Vettel in Canada, where the process was managed in a “curious” way. This issue seems to pair with the Australian matter, where similarities with the aforementioned case are present, as access to the appeals judge was unsuccessful and based on weak grounds.

Ultimately, to conclude the introduction, we emphasized one fact: the unclear definition of Laurent Mekies’ role during the years he wore the Ferrari colors. In other words, simplifying the concept, few have truly understood the true role of the future team principal of AlphaTauri, and perhaps he hasn’t either. For this reason, beyond the value of the person, things did not work out at Ferrari.

Laurent Mekies’ ambition: the Frenchman leaves Ferrari, mentally preparing for his new role at AlphaTauri
The reasons for Laurent’s resignation from his position are now clear. Following a demotion of his work, the announcement came that, in 2024, he will assume the most important role in Faenza. Although some decisions may seem sudden, they often are not. Laurent Mekies wanted Mattia Binotto’s position. He thought he could do it and, in fact, had already done it by replacing Mattia on more than one occasion.

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For this reason, with no top-notch technicians available, “our guy” strongly wanted to put himself to the test. But Ferrari disagreed, thinking that Fred Vasseur was much more suitable than his compatriot to take on Mattia Binotto‘s role. We’re talking about “an affront” that Laurent Mekies couldn’t endure, feeling like a kind of “secondary worker.”

Ferrari made this choice to cut ties with the past. Management considered that the methodology put in place by the lanky, bespectacled engineer would probably have been adopted by Laurent. We’re talking about a scenario that wouldn’t have worked for John Elkann and Benedetto Vigna. Thus, without too much resentment, the position was assigned to the former Alfa Romeo man.

Over time, the person directly involved, who will become part of the large Red Bull family, even if in the B team, reveals some statements about the near future. The role that will come into effect in the best way possible thanks to the timing related to the farewell with the red team. Although, in reality, a bit of frustration for the forced step was present, thinking it over, Laurent Mekies describes himself as happy with the break.

A period that allowed him to gather his thoughts before embarking on the most important challenge of his motorsport career. His conjectures continue by talking about the relationship between people, as the Frenchman expects great things in his next adventure. Although he considers himself quite fortunate for his time at Ferrari, he can’t wait to take on the next job, aware that the organizational confusion experienced during the last years in Maranello will only be a faded memory.

It remains to be seen, and we will find out at the end of next year, what his impact will be and whether the choice to “grow up” will work. Sporting life can exist even without the red, and if Laurent is able to make his abilities count on the field, it will be yet another demonstration that leaving Ferrari can bring satisfaction. On the other hand, we have plenty of examples, unfortunately…

Fred Vasseur, Laurent Mekies, Ferrari