F1 News: Ferrari Confirms Laurent Mekies Immediate Departure Ahead Of AlphaTauri Move

Ferrari's assistant team principal Laurent Mekies has left the team with immediate effect ahead of his move to AlphaTauri.

Ferrari's reliable deputy team principal, Laurent Mekies, is parting ways with the team immediately, in a move that paves the way for him to become the new team boss at AlphaTauri, Red Bull's sister team, next year. 

His departure triggers a stand-down period of six months before he can begin work with another race team. 

Ferrari's statement emphasised Mekies' contributions, saying: 

"The Racing Director will not be in Belgium and he leaves the Prancing Horse after four and a half seasons, during which time the team took seven wins. The entire team thanks him for his great contribution during those years."

Scuderia Ferrari team statement pic.twitter.com/ckjARjN9jF

— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) July 27, 2023

Diego Ioverno will assume the role of Ferrari's sporting director from the Belgian Grand Prix. The long-standing team member will be responsible for all sporting aspects and liaising with the FIA. 

"He [Ioverno] will be responsible for all sporting matters, as well as liaising with the FIA. Ioverno is a veteran member of the Scuderia having worked in Maranello for the past 23 years."

AlphaTauri, where Mekies will transition to next year, plans to strengthen its ties with Red Bull and will cede part of the car development work to them. Mekies is set to replace the current team principal, Franz Tost, who is leaving at the end of this season.

Ferrari is currently in fourth position in the constructors' standings with 167 points, a 80 point lead on McLaren who recently jumped up to fifth place. There is then a 17 point gap from the Maranello-based squad to Aston Martin who is currently in third position. Red Bull has dominated the 2023 season so far, winning all eleven of the races.