Laurent Mekies realised how much F1 drivers respect Max Verstappen after one comment from Racing Bulls ace

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Laurent Mekies ‘nearly crossed paths’ with Max Verstappen long before he became team principal at Red Bull. He had two stints at the sister team, originally named Toro Rosso.

Mekies, who was chief engineer at the Faenza squad, left in 2014 to take up a role with the FIA. Later that year, Verstappen was signed to the Red Bull driver academy, and remarkably announced as a 2015 F1 driver.

10 years on, he finally gets the chance to work with the Dutchman, who has won the last four world championships to establish himself as an all-time great. He naturally considers it a privilege.

But Mekies will also play an important role in determining Verstappen’s future. While the 27-year-old has recently committed to the team for 2026, there is considerable doubt over whether he’ll stay beyond that.

Laurent Mekies recalls Isack Hadjar being in awe of Max Verstappen

Speaking on Red Bull’s YouTube channel, Mekies recalled the aftermath of Red Bull’s announcement that he’d replace Christian Horner. It meant an abrupt departure from Racing Bulls.

But rather than expressing disappointment, Isack Hadjar was excited for his now-former boss. He knew Mekies was about to link up with arguably the best driver of his generation.

Earlier this year, Hadjar called Verstappen the ‘most complete’ on the grid. The Hungarian GP was the Red Bull superstar’s 200th race for the team.

Mekies says it’s not only F1 fans who are in awe of the 65-time race-winner – it’s his competitors too.

He said: “When the news broke that I would join the team, I remember seeing Isack, and the only thing he could say was, ‘Laurent, you are going to work with Max, you don’t realise, you are going to work with Max!'”

“That’s the effect he has on the fans, as we know, but also on his colleagues, the other drivers.”

Laurent Mekies reveals what his FIA colleagues had to ‘completely’ rethink when Max Verstappen arrived in F1

Verstappen’s initial signing was extremely divisive, with many declaring that he was too young to be racing in F1. Mekies remembers that the sport’s governing body came under pressure to act.

Helmut Marko called the FIA’s reaction ‘stupid’ as they raised the minimum age to 18. Drivers are still able to apply for an exemption.

Verstappen banished any concerns over his readiness during his rookie campaign. He scored nearly 50 points and twice finished in the top four.

“I tell you what, we nearly crossed paths,” Mekies said. “When I left, he was already announced to come for a test. He was 16 at the time, so it was a big story.

“I moved to the FIA, and because of Max, we completely had to rethink the superlicence system. You never have only one reason, but he was very much a strong trigger of it.”