Guenther Steiner uncovers the secret behind Laurent Mekies' achievements at Red Bull in Formula 1.

The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia marked a pivotal moment for the squad when four-time champion Max Verstappen clinched his first victory of the season, as well as the inaugural win for the Red Bull Powertrains initiative.

In an appearance on The Red Flags Podcast after the race at the Sepang International Circuit, Steiner commended Mekies for tuning out external distractions and providing stability to the team.

"He took on a team that was somewhat out of control," Steiner remarked. "Good old Laurent just figured it out, always approachable, always smiling, always courteous.

"He never lost his composure when Max Verstappen exclaimed, 'This is not acceptable.' He simply kept working. Some individuals departed, and there were comments like, 'This team is going nowhere,' and all that. Guess what? He turned it around.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal

"Reflecting on what Laurent accomplished while going unnoticed. Everyone just criticized, 'Oh, Christian is gone...' No, he stepped in, devoid of ego, and simply did a commendable job. They won a race in a rather commanding manner, so credit to him." 

When inquired about what Mekies contributes that is vital for the team, Steiner added: 

"It's his wealth of experience from working in various roles and his ability to remain composed. He never overreacts, always finds a way to tackle any issues, and effectively blocks out external distractions, which is a skill in itself because it can be quite bothersome.

"Over the years, Laurent has learned, 'I will do my best. I won’t let outside noise disturb me. I will just focus on my work, and if it succeeds, great; if it doesn’t, we’ll see what follows.'

"He draws from extensive experience, having held many positions throughout his career in F1."