Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies set to miss the first Bahrain pre-season test

Mekies will not travel to Bahrain this week, this website can confirm. The Frenchman will work remotely during this test, staying in close touch with his team from distance.

The boss, who replaced Christian Horner ahead of last year’s Belgian Grand Prix, has undergone a minor routine medical surgery.

The first Bahrain test will run from 11 to 13 February at the Bahrain International Circuit. Mekies is set to return a week later at the second pre-season test held at the Sakhir circuit.

Max Verstappen will be the first driver in action this week for Red Bull, driving the entire Wednesday at the Bahrain International Circuit. On Thursday, Isack Hadjar will take over. The duo will split Friday in Sakhir: Verstappen will drive in the morning, and Hadjar will be in action during the afternoon.