The new Red Bull boss, Laurent Mekies, has expressed his feelings after replacing Christian Horner, highlighting the challenge he faces and what the team has ahead. Horner’s sudden departure on Wednesday, after 20 years at the helm of the team, ended one of the most successful periods for a team principal in the history of the sport. Mekies rises from the junior team of the company, Racing Bulls, only 18 months after joining from Ferrari as team principal.
Mekies joins Red Bull at a crucial moment. The future of Max Verstappen, four-time world champion, will dominate his first weeks and months in the role, with clauses in the driver’s contract that allow him to leave before 2028 if he is below third place in the championship at the summer break.The first thoughts are for Christian. It still feels a bit unreal to be here and not see him. It would be impossible to underestimate the magnitude of the achievement this team has had under Christian’s 20 years of leadership.
Laurent Mekies
While that now seems less likely with two races remaining, the possibility of Verstappen leaving, either for 2026 or 2027, seems very real.
Red Bull is also not sure what the long-term future holds on the track. Next year, a significant aerodynamic and engine change will come into effect, and Red Bull will end its partnership with Honda to build its own engines from its factory in Milton Keynes, an unprecedented moment in its history. The team rushed to downplay expectations about how competitive they will be in 2026. Mekies hinted at a difficult path ahead.The focus will be on ensuring that all talented people here have what they need to perform at their best, because they already are the best. We will focus on that, on ensuring that Red Bull energy flows through the team.
Laurent Mekies
Regarding his own approach in his first weeks on the job, Mekies said:
That’s what we’ll be dedicating ourselves to in the coming weeks, trying to get to know as many of our people as possible, listening to them, trying to understand this beautiful magical machine that is Red Bull Formula 1 and, finally, finding ways to contribute and support.I want to discover the magic, I want to meet the guys and girls who are making the magic behind the scenes.
Laurent Mekies
