Laurent Mekies Steps Into Red Bull Hot Seat with Big Shoes and Big Dreams
So, there’s been a major shift at Red Bull Racing — and it’s a big one. Christian Horner, who had been the face of the team since its inception, is no longer the Team Principal. In his place steps Laurent Mekies, a well-respected figure in the paddock with more than two decades of F1 experience under his belt. And honestly, he's got one of the toughest jobs in motorsport right now.
Now, Mekies isn’t new to the world of Formula 1 — not by a long shot. He’s worked with everyone from Arrows to Ferrari, most recently helping transform the Racing Bulls into a solid midfield team. So, when Red Bull decided a change was needed at the top, they looked within their own ecosystem — and Mekies got the call. Literally. He said it came out of the blue, just a few hours before the news went public. One moment he was doing his usual thing, the next he was being asked to take over one of the most high-pressure roles in the sport.
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What’s interesting is how grounded Mekies seems about the whole thing. He knows the pressure is enormous — after all, Red Bull isn’t here to make up the numbers. They're here to win championships. But rather than diving straight into performance and car development talk, his first thought was about the people. Meeting the teams. Understanding the culture. He’s a team builder at heart, and that really came through in how he talked about his first couple of weeks on the job.
He’s also very aware of the stakes. Red Bull has lost some key personnel over the past couple of years — big names like Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley. They’ve also dropped to fourth in the Constructors' standings. So rebuilding isn't just desirable — it’s absolutely necessary. And Mekies is approaching it with the belief that success will come by creating the right environment for the incredibly talented people at Red Bull to thrive.
A huge part of that success depends on one man: Max Verstappen. Mekies was crystal clear — Max is central to the project. Red Bull is committed to him, and the best way to keep him around is to give him a fast, competitive car. That’s the focus. The entire organization is aligned around that one goal. And while Verstappen has brushed aside speculation about his future, Mekies knows delivering on-track results will be key to making sure he stays.
As for the future, Mekies is optimistic. He knows this isn’t a quick fix — especially with 2026 bringing major regulation changes and Red Bull’s new partnership with Ford for their own power unit. But he believes the team has the spirit, the tools, and — most importantly — the people to fight their way back to the top.
It’s a big moment for Red Bull, no doubt. And if Mekies gets it right, we could be watching the start of a whole new chapter in their already storied history.
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