Laurent Mekies emphasizes that Max Verstappen returned with a big smile after the 24 hours of the Nürburgring. Mekies recognizes that the Dutchman is interested in many aspects of motorsport, but Red Bull is still glad that race is over. “Verstappen came back with a broad smile, full of motivation for this Grand Prix. That’s what it’s all about,” Mekies says.
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Laurent Mekies looks back satisfied on Max Verstappen’s adventure during the 24 hours of the Nürburgring. The four-time world champion led for a long time, but due to a mechanical problem the team was stopped for quite a while. As a result, Team Verstappen ultimately finished thirty-eighth. Mekies admits that he occasionally looked away when Verstappen took a bit too much risk. “We had agreed that if he took too much risk, we would hide the on-board camera. That way we all felt a bit more at ease,” Mekies says during a media session in Canada.
‘Broad smile’
Mekies feels sorry for Verstappen that his team ultimately missed out on the victory. Still, he mainly sees a satisfied Verstappen returning after his adventure on the Nordschleife. “It was spectacular. He missed the win by a hair, but his speed was absolutely incredible. He came back with a broad smile, full of motivation for this Grand Prix. That’s what it’s all about,” the Frenchman says.
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Verstappen visibly enjoys other motorsport classes and the Red Bull team boss notices that too. According to Mekies, the four-time world champion was already walking around enthusiastically before the race weekend. “He knows he also wants to do other forms of racing. It’s great that he is so in love with the sport, with every aspect of it. Of course, we are a bit relieved when the race is over and we know he is on his way back to us. But overall it’s very positive for the sport, for motorsport as a whole, for Max and for the team,” Mekies concludes.
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