Laurent Mekies

With the new regulations coming for 2026, with the new power unit projects, there were all the reasons in the world to say, well, you know what, let's turn the page.

2025 did not work.

Let's concentrate on 2026.

You would have been mad to do anything differently.

The truth is, Tom, nobody wanted to turn the page.

That's how deep is the fighting spirit in the team.

We still think it was the right thing to do.

Does it have an impact on where you start?

26, of course it does.

But we are in full attack mode.

If you walk in Milton Keynes right now, there is fire in every single department.

The burning fire of wanting to go back as fast as possible to a more competitive car.

You know what to say.

It's been a bit of a crazy two years.

But, you know, today, as in every other opportunities before, you know, you feel honored, you feel privileged, you feel lucky in that case to join such an incredible team.

and to have a chance to shoot for the wins again and fight for the titles again, and that's what we are loving, and that's what we dream of doing year after year, and to have this opportunity is incredible.

You know, the circumstances were very, very different.

When I left Ferrari to join Racing Bulls, I had an imposed seven or eight months gardening leave.

And obviously you are home.

You only think about how you are going to tackle the next challenge.