Mekies 'returns' to Racing Bulls after being handed keys of Red Bull kingdom

19:38, 26 Jul

Updated: 22:13, 26 Jul

byTobia Elia

Laurent Mekies personally congratulated his former Racing Bulls drivers for both making it into Q3 in Belgian GP qualifying, with Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson set to start eighth and ninth respectively in tomorrow’s race.

Laurent Mekies is undoubtedly experiencing an emotional weekend at Spa.

The Frenchman, appointed as the new Red Bull CEO and team principal succeeding Christian Horner, can already claim a win on his record after Max Verstappen’s victory in this morning’s sprint race.

But today, his joy is doubled: Mekies clearly hasn’t forgotten his very recent past, as Racing Bulls—now led by Alan Permane—performed strongly in this afternoon’s Belgian GP qualifying.

Laurent Mekies at Red Bull

Mekies pays tribute to his former drivers

Both Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson managed to qualify for Q3, finishing eighth and ninth respectively, just behind Yuki Tsunoda, who perhaps appeared competitive for the first time in a Red Bull car.

For Mekies, despite celebrating a victory just hours earlier, the result achieved by his two former drivers is still an important milestone that deserved to be equally celebrated.

The Frenchman personally congratulated Hadjar and Lawson, with hugs and smiles shared on both sides.

Check out the video!