CEO Peter Bayer sees the new AlphaTauri team boss Laurent Mekies as an important “sparring partner” to further develop the team
Laurent Mekies officially took up his post as the new Team Principal of AlphaTauri this week. Together with the CEO of the Formula 1 team, Peter Bayer, he will form a dual leadership team to replace Franz Tost, who will take his well-deserved retirement at the end of 2023
When asked what Mekies will bring to the team, Bayer emphasizes that the Frenchman’s experience will be invaluable, especially in connection with the rebranding. The team will have a new identity in 2024.
“He has been on the pit wall at Ferrari for a long time,” says Bayer about Mekies, who has been Sport Director at Ferrari for the past five years. “But he also comes with a very good network, he knows a lot of good people.”
“That will be his strength, and his daily focus is to manage the team’s operations at the track as team principal,” the AlphaTauri CEO looks ahead.
In connection with the rebranding, he explains: “We have a lot of top talent joining us because they are excited about the new opportunity, a new team, a new identity. Fortunately, we have been successful on the pitch in recent weeks and months. That helps and changes the dynamic.”
Bayer believes that the two-man leadership of himself and Mekies will have a positive effect, as their respective strengths can be brought to bear
Bayer: “Ideal constellation” for AlphaTauri
“We will be sparring partners for each other. We will challenge each other, we will work together and support each other,” he says. “And I think that with the complexity of Formula 1 today, having a four-eyes principle with different backgrounds is a strength.”
“Yes, you can be a Christian Horner or Franz Tost and do this job for over 20 years and know everything and have a very strong team of people around you. But for us, I think this is the ideal constellation,” affirms the CEO.
“We already cover the sporting and technical aspects. The financial side is something we will both focus on, because I believe that you can win a lot here if you understand the rules as well as possible. And I think we both have a very good understanding of the financial rules and their intent.”
Overall, Bayer believes AlphaTauri is well equipped for the future: “We have an advantage as a team because we are extremely efficient. The way we are structured, what Franz has built, is pretty amazing in terms of output. And that also applies to the efficiency with which we can produce this output. “
“I think Laurent and I will work closely together. I have a strong interest in technical topics, just as Laurent has a strong interest in commercial matters. So we exchange ideas with each other. But then we both go back to our respective areas,” he summarizes.
Mekies thanks Ferrari and starts a new chapter
Meanwhile, Mekies signaled his official arrival in Faenza by posting a message on LinkedIn paying tribute to his previous employer.
“As my chapter in red closes, it’s time to thank everyone at Scuderia Ferrari for five unforgettable years,” he wrote. “We went through ups and downs together, fought every day and gave our all.”
“My head and heart are filled with incredible memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. Now a new adventure begins and I am very grateful to be moving from a very special racing family to another very special racing family,” says Mekies, looking forward to AlphaTauri.
“We are embarking on an exciting journey, a new chapter that we will write together,” the new team principal looks ahead, “and I can’t wait to work with the talented people in Faenza and in Bicester. “
