Red Bull Racing is starting a new chapter after the surprising dismissal of Christian Horner following 20 years as team principal.
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The team appointed Laurent Mekies as the new team principal and CEO, a move that promises to reconfigure not only the sporting strategy but also the internal relationships in the most media-covered team in Formula 1.
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Who is Laurent Mekies?
Mekies, 47 years old, comes to the position from Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri), where he served as CEO since 2024.
His career includes key positions at Ferrari, Toro Rosso, and the FIA, making him a technical and diplomatic profile with extensive knowledge of the paddock.
A graduate of the engineering school in Paris and with a master’s degree in Motorsport, Mekies started at Arrows and Minardi, before moving up to become head of performance and later sports director at Scuderia Ferrari, where he earned a reputation for being a discreet but efficient operator.
At Red Bull, your role will be twofold: team principal and CEO, which involves both sports management and executive leadership of the team.
What can change at Red Bull?
The arrival of Mekies occurs at a particularly delicate moment:
• Red Bull has lost competitiveness in 2025, dropping to fourth place in the championship.
• The relationship between Horner and Jos Verstappen was broken.
• The departure of Adrian Newey weakened the technical structure.
With this scenario, wardrobe management will be key. Mekies will have to earn the trust of Max Verstappen, who would have had contractual clauses linked to the presence of Horner, and also strengthen the relationship with his second driver Yuki Tsunoda.
A more diplomatic style, the key for Red Bull?
Unlike Horner’s confrontational style, Mekies is known for his conciliatory and technical profile, focusing on operational efficiency rather than internal politics. This could favor a more balanced dynamic between drivers and management.
Time will tell if Laurent Mekies is the leader that Red Bull needs to rebuild its hegemony, or if the team is entering a deeper transition phase than expected.