Mekies Credits Red Bull's Strategy for Verstappen's P2 in Hungary

Max Verstappen clinched a well-earned second place at the Hungarian Grand Prix, managing to outmaneuver Lewis Hamilton in a standout move. But while Verstappen's on-track prowess was on display, it was Red Bull's strategic decisions that truly shaped his race outcome.

Laurent Mekies, the team boss, was quick to praise the pit wall for their swift and shrewd reactions to the fluctuating race conditions. As the race unfolded, Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli seemed poised for a one-stop strategy, only to switch tactics, adding to the complexity. Red Bull initially mirrored McLaren's strategy, starting on medium tires before moving to the hard compound. However, they made a daring choice to equip Verstappen with soft tires for the final stint, a decision that required him to manage 32 laps without a pit stop during the Virtual Safety Car period.

"Before the race, we anticipated that Lando Norris and the Ferraris would be untouchable," Mekies noted. "We aimed to compete with Mercedes and possibly Oscar Piastri. Ultimately, we found ourselves battling both Ferraris, though Norris remained out of reach."

Mekies highlighted the team's strategic choices, including their decision not to follow Hamilton's early pit stop, as pivotal. "The pit wall and the team back home executed the race strategy flawlessly," he said. "Our starts have improved, and our pit stops and strategies are consistently strong."

Despite a challenging weekend in Budapest, with Verstappen and teammate Isack Hadjar voicing concerns over gear shifts and car balance, Red Bull managed a respectable P2 and P6 finish. Hadjar's strategy was compromised as he was left out to fend off Verstappen's competitors during pit stops.

Mekies acknowledged the work still needed to fine-tune the RB22. "We never quite provided Max and Isack with a car they could fully exploit," he admitted. "Sunday's performance was better, but the car still didn't feel right to the drivers."

While Norris was the only driver clearly faster than Verstappen, Mekies sees room for improvement with the current setup. "We'll analyze why we're struggling with car balance and performance," he stated, noting the effort required from both drivers and the team.

As Red Bull heads into the summer break, they remain fourth in the Constructors' Championship, trailing McLaren by 43 points, with Verstappen's home race at Zandvoort on the horizon.