'We All Want Flat-Out Qualifying’ - Laurent Mekies Confirms the one thing that unites F1 Paddock

Formula 1’s ongoing debate around race formats and on-track action has quietly returned to the spotlight, with questions being raised about whether qualifying still delivers the intensity the sport promises. As the calendar grows tighter and margins shrink, even small format discussions are beginning to carry larger competitive implications.

Amid this backdrop, Laurent Mekies has stepped in with a view that reflects more than just one team’s perspective. Speaking as the Red Bull principal, his remarks arrive at a time when the team itself continues to navigate performance expectations and internal pressure within the championship fight.

Across the paddock, there has been a growing sense that qualifying, often seen as a technical build-up to race day, could benefit from a more aggressive, flat-out approach. Teams, drivers, and governing bodies have all been part of this ongoing conversation, even if consensus has rarely been this clearly articulated.

What makes this moment notable is not just the suggestion itself, but the alignment behind it. In a sport where disagreement is almost a default setting, even a shared idea hints at a possible shift in how Formula 1 chooses to present its most crucial sessions.

1. Laurent Mekies urges return to ‘Flat-Out Qualifying’ after Japanese Grand Prix

Following the Japanese Grand Prix, Laurent Mekies addressed growing concerns around Formula 1’s evolving qualifying format, as reported via Motorsport. His remarks come amid wider discussions about how the sport’s new technical regulations are shaping on-track performance.

With the introduction of power units delivering nearly 50 percent electrical energy, drivers are increasingly required to manage deployment during laps. This has led to visible changes in qualifying, including lifting and coasting before corners and avoiding flat-out runs through high-speed sections.

In response to these moving dynamics, Red Bull Principal Laurent Mekies stated that ‘if there is one thing we all agree on, all teams, FIA, F1 and the drivers, it is that we all would like to see qualifying to be flat-out qualifying, or as close as possible to flat-out qualifying,’ underlining a shared stance across the paddock. He added that ‘it is the first thing we are, as a sport, trying to focus on,’ pointing to ongoing efforts to address the issue.

He further explained the broader impact of such changes, noting that ‘once you improve or once you get to an extent to have flat-out qualifying, you will automatically have a race with potentially a bit less gaming.’ The comments came out as a push within Formula 1 to restore a more direct and competitive edge to its qualifying sessions.

2. Laurent Mekies points to 2027 target as F1 balances ‘Flat-Out’ ambitions

In further remarks shared, Laurent Mekies addressed the complexity of adjusting Formula 1’s race and qualifying dynamics. He acknowledged that while race strategy remains open to interpretation, the primary focus across the paddock remains unchanged.

Mekies stated that ‘the level of gaming in the race you can probably adjust,’ while noting that opinions differ up and down the pitlane on how much strategy should influence outcomes. He emphasized that ‘the most important is that we get closer to flat-out qualifying,’ adding that this remains a central objective when stakeholders meet.

On the question of timing, Mekies suggested that immediate changes may not be straightforward unless tied to safety concerns. He said that ‘personally, I think the focus should be on how to sort it properly for ’27,’ indicating that teams and regulators still have time to implement meaningful adjustments before the next regulation cycle.

He further added that achieving enough flat-out qualifying in ’27 is realistic, while also pointing to ‘a number of small things’ that could be introduced as early as 2026. Despite these concerns, current cars continue to deliver competitive lap times, with Kimi Antonelli securing pole at Suzuka in 1m28.778s, a time that remains faster than several recent seasons.

3. Red Bull’s 2026 struggles deepen as focus begins to shift toward 2027

The concerns raised around Formula 1’s evolving race and qualifying dynamics now intersect with a deeper issue for Red Bull Racing, whose on-track performance has fallen sharply in the 2026 season. After setting the grid benchmark, the team is now operating behind the leading contenders, which is a significant shift in the competitive order. At the center of the struggle is the RB22, which has proven difficult to optimize under the new regulations. Persistent balance issues, combined with excess weight and inconsistent aerodynamic output, have limited the car’s competitiveness across different circuits. The transition in leadership to Laurent Mekies, which happened last year, has come at a time when the team is navigating both technical and strategic uncertainty. Despite stability on the power unit side, the overall package has not matched expectations, leaving drivers and engineers searching for immediate solutions. With upgrades being prepared in the short term, attention is also beginning to drift toward the 2027 regulation cycle. Red Bull now faces a defining phase, where decisions made in the coming months could shape not just the remainder of the season, but the direction of its next era. Meanwhile, the Max Verstappen retirement rumors have the team in bit of a soup.

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