Laurent Mekies defended Red Bull Racing’s decision to order Max Verstappen to give the position back to Lewis Hamilton at the start of the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. According to the team principal, the decision avoided a greater risk of penalty for the Dutchman and allowed Verstappen to return to the fight.
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The decision came after an incident between the two drivers, and Mekies acknowledged that it was not an easy decision for Verstappen to accept inside the car. However, the team quickly analyzed the situation at the pit wall and concluded that it would be better to lose the position at that moment than to risk a heavier penalty later on.
“It is always a painful and difficult decision. Fortunately, the guys at the pit wall analyzed the situation very well and made the assessment quickly,” Mekies told F1TV. In a sarcastic tone, the executive added that Red Bull did not expect to receive a thank you from Verstappen for the order.
Mekies explained that if Verstappen had not given up the position, the stewards could have applied a five or ten-second penalty. Furthermore, the impact could have been even greater depending on a possible Safety Car deployment or other race circumstances.
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“We thought it would be better to accept the pain at that moment and fight again later. It was something Max did exceptionally well, as always, instead of waiting and risking a bigger penalty, which could have been more costly afterwards,” he added.
Hamilton retired shortly after receiving the position back, with brake problems in his Ferrari, but Mekies assessed that Verstappen did what he needed to stay competitive. The executive considered that second place represents the maximum possible for Red Bull on this day.
Mekies also praised Liam Lawson’s race and informed that, in the next two weeks, the team will evaluate Isack Hadjar’s situation. The Frenchman will continue working in the simulator during his recovery from a wrist fracture, and the decision about his return will be made later.
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