Mekies after qualifying in Sepang: 'Remarkable achievement'

Published on 03 October 2026 by Yvonne Huijs

Laurent Mekies, CEO and Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, said after qualifying in Malaysia: "A fantastic result for the whole Team today and a special moment as it’s the first Pole position for us as a complete manufacturer with the Red Bull Ford Powertrains. From the start, this has been a project that embodies Red Bull’s disruptive spirit. To take the design and construction of a power unit in-house and deliver a competitive package in just five years was crazy, but Red Bull have made it happen. For a PU manufacturer to come into the sport with its first new design and take a Pole position in its 16th grand prix is a remarkable achievement. We’ve had good pace since the start of the weekend, but in Qualifying Max found another level: quickest in every session and almost three tenths clear with his final flying lap. So, congratulations to him for his first Pole position of the season and congratulations to the whole Team. We have been making strong steps since the summer break, getting closer and closer on absolute pace and scoring podiums on a regular basis. This Pole is a testimony to all of the hard work that everyone at track and at the factory is doing to close the gap."

Mekies was also full of praise for Max's teammate: "It was a fantastic performance from Isack too. Fast all weekend, P3 in the session and missing out the first row by just a little more than a tenth. Of course, it’s a shame that he has to take a grid penalty tomorrow, but it’s also clear that he has the pace to fight his way forward.  The race is going to be a whole new challenge. It will undoubtedly be dominated by tyre management and the punishing conditions here in Sepang. So we reset tonight and concentrate on getting the most of our car for the brutal conditions expected tomorrow. Isack and Max have been working hard with the Team to understand the tyres here and I am sure they will put on a strong fight in the middle of a very tight field at the front."