New AlphaTauri Team Principal issues farewell to former squad

AlphaTauri Team Principal Laurent Mekies has published a farewell message to Ferrari following his departure from the Italian outfit.

Mekies has replaced Franz Tost at the Red Bull sister squad with the latter retiring after almost two decades of leading the team.

Mekies has an existing relationship with AlphaTauri, having worked for it from 2005 to 2014 as its chief engineer when it ran under the Toro Rosso moniker.

After departing the Faenza-based squad for an FIA role in 2014, Mekies joined Ferrari in 2018 as a Sporting Director before being promoted to Deputy Team Principal and Racing Director in 2021.

Mekies' return to AlphaTauri is set to coincide with a new team name for the squad, which is yet to be confirmed.

Mekies' message

Having now left Ferrari, Mekies wrote a goodbye message to the squad ahead of the upcoming campaign.

“As my chapter in Red closes, it is the moment to thank everyone at Scuderia Ferrari for 5 unforgettable years,” he said.

“We went through lows and highs together, we fought every day, and we gave it everything we could.

“My head and my heart are filled with incredible memories, which I will cherish for life.

“To all the fantastic people at the Scuderia, and to the amazing Tifosi, a huge thank you for everything we have lived together and for your passionated, unconditioned, support.

“A new adventure starts now, and it is with a great sense of gratefulness that I go from a very special racing family to another very special racing family.

“We are embarking into an exciting journey, a new chapter for us to write all together, and I can’t wait to work alongside the talented people in Faenza and in Bicester.”