Red Bull’s Special Moment with New Power Unit
Laurent Mekies expressed that it was a “very special moment” for Red Bull to utilize their own power unit for the first time during the Barcelona Shakedown. He also conveyed his “pride” in the team’s efforts on this project.
First Track Experience
The Milton Keynes team was among the first to take to the track at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with Isack Hadjar driving the RB22. They logged additional mileage on the second day, with driving responsibilities shared between Max Verstappen in the morning and Hadjar later on.
Reflections on Day 1
After Day 2 of the shakedown, Mekies elaborated on the team’s experience so far and how it felt to see the new car on track. “We knew it would be a very special moment,” Mekies noted about the RB22 debuting with their own power unit.
Positive Starts Amid Challenges
He remarked on the hectic preparation leading up to the event, praising the team in Milton Keynes for their hard work that enabled the car to run on Monday morning. “We received a good number of laps with Isack, marking a positive start in understanding the power unit and the car,” he added.
Day 2 Challenges
Regarding Day 2, where Hadjar faced a crash in wet conditions, Mekies stated, “Today’s weather posed challenges, but we found value in running in the rain under current regulations.” They transitioned to Hadjar in the afternoon, continuing to gather insights despite the wet conditions.
Praise for Team and Power Unit Performance
Mekies commended the team for ensuring the power unit’s readiness for the shakedown, recognizing the effort from everyone at Red Bull’s headquarters. He expressed pride in being able to test the unit, even emphasizing that it’s early in the process and not everything is perfect.
Looking Ahead
Mekies concluded with a positive outlook for future sessions, expressing excitement over the team dynamics and collaborative spirit between Max and Isack. With only one day left of testing in Barcelona, Mekies stressed the importance of evaluating the car’s condition and maintaining flexibility in their program moving forward.
