Mekies after Italian GP qualifying: 'Mixed feelings'

Published on 06 September 2026 by Niels Hendrix

Laurent Mekies, CEO and team principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, said after qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix: "We have some mixed feelings after today’s qualifying. Of course we cannot be happy with a P5 start, but I think the pace today was an improvement compared to where we were on Friday. Max had a much better feeling with the car in FP3 this morning and, overall, we have been closer to pole position than what we have shown in the last few races.”

Mekies continued: “The pack was really tight between the top six or seven cars and we finished at the back of it today, which is a bit frustrating, but it’s part of the game when the gaps are so small. We have a few things we need to fix and improve for Sunday so that we can be in the fight with the guys ahead.”