Laurent Mekies appreciates Ferrari’s strong pace in the Austrian GP: “It’s really close between us and our main rivals”

Laurent Mekies appreciates Ferrari’s strong pace in the Austrian GP: “It’s really close between us and our main rivals”

Laurent Mekies

Laurent Mekies praised Ferrari for the pace they have shown throughout the weekend but mostly pointed over the race pace they had in the Sprint Race. The 100Km race cleared out a lot of things for the main race on Sunday. Laurent talked about the startergies and maximum pace they could bring out of the package in Austria.

Charles Leclerc is starting the main race at P2 with Carlos Sainz on P3, both the Ferrari teammates had a fight for the second position that ultimately gave Max Verstappen a clear chance for the lead, that he dearly accepted and went on taking the P1 spot. But the positives that came out of the Sprint race was the reaction time and the pace the F1-75 managed to keep on throughout the 23 laps. They almost got Max on the ending laps with only a second left to cover.

“Today’s Sprint race confirmed that on this track too, it’s really close between us and our main rivals. It was important to verify this in race conditions and I’d say that this afternoon’s 23 laps confirmed it, “ said Laurent.

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Laurent Mekies plans to contest the Red Bulls on Sunday

Ferrari deputy team principal and racing director Laurent Mekies
Ferrari deputy team principal and racing director Laurent Mekies

Laurent talked about detailing the Austrian package with the colleagues back at Maranello to bring the maximum out of the F1-75 and challenge the rivals at their very backyard.

“I think tomorrow’s race will be very closely contested and anything could happen. It will come down to the details, which is why we will now, along with our colleagues back in Maranello, analyse everything in depth to work out how to get the most out of our package,” said Laurent.

Tyre management in the start and end of the race would also play a crucial part in 71 laps race. As Sergio Perez covered 8 position after a fantastic session, things are still 2v2 between the Ferrari and Red Bull, with teamwork playing the most important role tomorrow.

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