Mekies move to Red Bull could be 'useful' for Hadjar
The 20-year-old French rookie is a prime candidate to join four-times world champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull in place of Japanese Yuki Tsunoda, who has struggled to make an impact after moving up from Racing Bulls.
"If I had to work with him (Mekies), it would be easier, that's for sure. It would sound more familiar," Hadjar told reporters ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix when it was suggested his compatriot's move stood him in good stead.
"I can't hide it, it's useful. For sure. But we'll see. Twelve more races so I need to keep pushing. You're only as good as your last race."
Hadjar said he was driving the simulator at the team factory when he heard about Horner's surprise dismissal on July 9, with Alan Permane taking over from Mekies as Racing Bulls boss.
"It doesn't really change much for me at the moment," he continued. "Alan is someone I know really well before. He was always quiet, you don't see him often but he's been a big part of the team so far.
"He's been very close to Laurent, Laurent has built something very solid over the last two years and now he's just taking it (on). It doesn't change anything to the team or to my approach."
Hadjar, who has scored 21 points in 12 races this season with a best result of sixth in Monaco, said Mekies had been good to work with as someone from an engineering background.
"I think Laurent was really appreciated in the team. A bit of sadness obviously (to see him go)," he added.
Teammate Liam Lawson, who started the season at Red Bull and dropped back to Racing Bulls after two races to make way for Tsunoda, said the changes made little difference and he was focusing on the coming races.
"I don't think we have lost anything with regards to Alan filling his (Mekies') position but I think something that Laurent has been very, very good at is leading the team and having everybody around him, I guess having the motivation very high," he added.
"He was very, very good for that. Works very, very hard. He is (was) always here."
Lawson said Horner's departure had come as a surprise and he found out after a press release was issued. He said he exchanged texts with the Briton subsequently.
"I'm sure the communication with Laurent will stay as it has been because he's somebody that is very supportive...but in terms of what it means for my future, I honestly don't know at this point," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Straits Times
Despondent Lewis Hamilton says he's ‘useless' and Ferrari should replace him
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox BUDAPEST - A despondent Lewis Hamilton said he was 'useless' and suggested Ferrari needed another driver after qualifying 12th for the Hungarian Grand Prix with teammate Charles Leclerc on pole position. The seven-time Formula One world champion, who is 40 and the second oldest driver on the grid, has an unrivalled record in Hungary with eight wins and nine poles but his Aug 2 performance was far from those heights. 'It's me every time. I'm useless, absolutely useless,' he told Sky Sports television, when explaining why he had said 'every time, every time' over the radio after failing to make the cut by 15 thousandths of a second. 'The team have no problem. You've seen the car's on pole. 'So, we probably need to change driver.' Hamilton joined Ferrari from Mercedes in January and has yet to stand on the podium for Formula One's oldest, most glamorous and successful team although he did win the Shanghai sprint from pole in March. Leclerc has had five top three finishes in 13 races so far this season. Questioned later by F1 TV about his bleak assessment, Hamilton doubled down: 'I drove terribly. It is what it is,' he said. The Briton has not won a grand prix for more than a year now and his podium drought - a run of 15 races - is the longest of a record-breaking career that started spectacularly in 2007. He is 30 points behind Leclerc in the standings and has beaten the Monegasque only twice in 13 grand prix starts. In qualifying - Hamilton's big weak spot of late despite 104 career poles - Leclerc leads 10-4. Hamilton had recognised earlier in the week the challenge he has faced at Maranello and said he needed to get away and recharge during the August break and there were sure to be 'some tears at some point'. 'The last god knows how many seasons have been hard in their own way,' added the winner of a record 105 races from 369 starts. 'This one has definitely been the most intense one, I would say, just from a work perspective,' he told reporters. 'Integrating into a new culture and into a new team. It's not gone smoothly in all areas, and it's been a real battle.' REUTERS
CNA
6 hours ago
- CNA
Piastri confident he can win after 'bizarre' Hungarian qualifying
BUDAPEST :McLaren's Formula One leader Oscar Piastri was confident he could win from second place on the starting grid after a 'bizarre and somewhat frustrating' Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday. The Australian will line up alongside Ferrari's pole-sitter Charles Leclerc at the Hungaroring on Sunday with title rival and teammate Lando Norris in third place. "Pretty confident," Piastri, 16 points clear of Norris, said of his chances of taking a seventh win from 14 races. "It was good last year, so hopefully it can be good again this year." Piastri started second last year, with Norris on pole, and went on to take the first win of his F1 career. Sunday's race could see some rain, which could make things tricky on a twisty circuit where overtaking is already difficult and strategy can be crucial. McLaren were fastest in all three practice sessions but Leclerc made the most of the conditions to seize a surprise advantage. "If you're sat where Charles is, fantastic. If you're sat where I'm sat, bizarre and somewhat frustrating," he said when asked to sum up the session. "I think the conditions completely changed, and it was just weird. "I think our pace has been good, but Charles has been quick all weekend, in certain sessions," added the Australian. "It is a very difficult track to overtake on, and it's not going to be the easiest place to try and regain the lead." Norris, winner of four races so far this campaign, agreed with his teammate. "I think we always have, at least in the race, a bit more of an advantage. But our main competitor over the last four, five races has been Charles and it's been the Ferrari," said the Briton. "So, if there was anyone else that's going to be on pole today, it was going to be Charles. And if there's anyone that's going to make our life tough tomorrow, it's going to be the same guy."
Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Straits Times
Despondent Hamilton says he's 'useless' and Ferrari should replace him
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox BUDAPEST - A despondent Lewis Hamilton said he was "useless" and suggested Ferrari needed another driver after qualifying 12th for the Hungarian Grand Prix with teammate Charles Leclerc on pole position. The seven-time Formula One world champion, who is 40, has an unrivalled record in Hungary with eight wins and nine poles but Saturday's performance was far from those heights. "It's me every time. I'm useless, absolutely useless," he told Sky Sports television when explaining why he had said "every time, every time" over the radio after failing to make the cut. "The team have no problem. You've seen the car's on pole. "So we probably need to change driver." Hamilton joined Ferrari from Mercedes in January and has yet to stand on the podium for Formula One's oldest, most glamorous and successful team although he did win the Shanghai sprint from pole in March. Leclerc has had five top three finishes in 13 races so far this season. REUTERS
