New Leadership at Red Bull Racing: Laurent Mekies Takes the Helm Amidst Major Changes
Red Bull Racing has officially appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO and team principal, succeeding Christian Horner, who led the team for over 20 years. Mekies, who previously served at Racing Bulls, is already focused on understanding the internal dynamics and culture of the team as they prepare for the upcoming challenges posed by the 2026 regulations.
Speaking during a recent filming day at Silverstone, Mekies emphasized the importance of engaging with the team’s staff. “The next step… is to meet the people,” he stated. “I just can’t wait to meet as many people as possible from this incredible team. You want to discover the magic… understand this beautiful magic machine that is Red Bull Formula 1."
Mekies expressed admiration for Red Bull’s reputation as a talent powerhouse in the industry and reiterated his commitment to maintaining high performance levels. “We look at [Red Bull] as being the sharpest team,” he noted, recognizing the assembly of exceptional talent within the organization.
Acknowledging the significant regulatory changes on the horizon, Mekies remarked, “Formula 1 is going to face probably the biggest change of regulation in its history… We will need everyone to go about it all together.” The team’s transition to its own power units adds an additional layer of complexity to the upcoming challenges.
Reflecting on Horner’s legacy, Mekies stated, “It still feels a bit unreal to be here and not to see him… It would be impossible to underestimate the size of the achievement that this team has had under 20 years of Christian’s leadership.” Mekies highlighted Horner’s pivotal role in his return to the Red Bull family two years ago, underscoring the profound impact Horner has had on the team’s success.
As Mekies begins his tenure, the motorsports community will be closely watching Red Bull Racing’s adaptation to new regulations and the preservation of its competitive edge in Formula 1.
