Laurent Mekies, born in 1977, is a distinguished French engineer currently serving as the assistant team principal and race director for Scuderia Ferrari and set to assume the team principal role at Scuderia AlphaTauri. He has a solid educational background, with degrees from the École supérieure des techniques aéronautiques et de construction automobile in Paris and Loughborough University. Starting his career with Asiatech in Formula Three, Mekies progressed to Formula One with Arrows, and later Minardi. He significantly contributed to the safety aspect of FIA's championships, including the introduction of the Halo device. He joined Scuderia Ferrari in 2018, and has held various roles there, demonstrating his adaptability and proficiency. Despite his prominent career, Mekies has kept his personal life largely private. His transition to Scuderia AlphaTauri as team principal marks a significant milestone in his two-decade-long career in Formula One.
Laurent Mekies, born on April 28, 1977, in Tours, Centre-Val de Loire, France, is a French engineer who has made significant strides in the world of Formula One. Currently serving as the assistant team principal and race director for Scuderia Ferrari, Mekies is set to replace Franz Tost as the team principal of Scuderia AlphaTauri. His journey through the ranks of Formula One, from his early days as a race engineer to his current leadership roles, is a testament to his dedication, expertise, and passion for the sport.
Mekies' journey into the world of Formula One began with a strong educational foundation. He graduated from the École supérieure des techniques aéronautiques et de construction automobile in Paris and later obtained a master's degree from Loughborough University. His career in racing started in 2000 with Asiatech in Formula Three before he made the leap to Formula One, working for Arrows.
Mekies' career progression in Formula One is marked by his ability to adapt and excel in various roles. After his stint with Arrows, he moved to Minardi, where he worked as a race engineer for drivers such as Mark Webber, Justin Wilson, Zsolt Baumgartner, and Christijan Albers. When Minardi was acquired by Red Bull and renamed Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2005, Mekies was promoted to the team's chief engineer.
In 2014, Mekies left Toro Rosso to join the FIA as safety director. His work at the FIA was instrumental in overseeing all safety and medical matters for the governing body's championships. He was also a key figure in the introduction of the Halo device to Formula One and Formula Two. In 2017, he was appointed F1 deputy race director.
Mekies moved to Scuderia Ferrari in September 2018 as sporting director and has been in charge of the Track and Performance department since 2019. In January 2021, he was appointed as Deputy Team Principal and Racing Director of Scuderia Ferrari.
Mekies is set to replace Franz Tost as team principal of Scuderia AlphaTauri. This move marks a significant milestone in Mekies' career, as he will be in control of the team's daily operations, including the Technical, Manufacturing, Support Function, and Race Team activities. His experience and leadership skills will undoubtedly be valuable assets to the AlphaTauri team.
Despite his high-profile career in Formula One, Mekies has managed to keep his personal life relatively private. Information about his marital status and net worth is not publicly available. However, his career in Formula One, spanning over two decades and involving roles in some of the sport's top teams, suggests that he has achieved significant professional success.
Laurent Mekies' journey in Formula One is a story of dedication, hard work, and a deep understanding of the sport. His ability to excel in various roles, from race engineer to team principal, is a testament to his versatility and expertise. As he prepares to take on the role of team principal at Scuderia AlphaTauri, there is no doubt that Mekies will continue to make significant contributions to the world of Formula One.
