A new era for Red Bull Racing: centralisation, leadership change, and Max Verstappen stability. Red Bull reshapes its F1 empire.

After years of delegation, Red Bull GmbH is now reasserting full control over its Formula 1 operations, placing its direct authority at the heart of the project.

The internal revolution that has been brewing within Red Bull Racing for over a year has finally reached a critical, irreversible point. Christian Horner, who for nearly two decades was considered the face and soul of the Milton Keynes-based Formula 1 team, has been definitively removed from his role—a position that, until recently, appeared untouchable. This is not merely the closing of a chapter in the team’s history; it marks the beginning of an entirely new era, one being orchestrated directly from the company’s Austrian headquarters in Fuschl am See.

For context, Fuschl am See is home to Red Bull GmbH, the parent company that oversees not only the two Formula 1 teams—Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App RB—but also all of the subsidiary businesses that support their operations. This includes the recently launched Red Bull Powertrains division, which is tasked with producing the team’s future power units. Until a few weeks ago, many of these entities bore the unmistakable influence of Christian Horner, who served as CEO of several of them in addition to his long-standing role as team principal.

The driving force behind this sweeping reorganisation is Oliver Mintzlaff, one of the three current Chief Executive Officers of Red Bull GmbH. Mintzlaff has emerged as the key figure in the company’s hierarchy following the death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz. Taking the reins with unexpected determination, he has stunned many in the paddock by initiating a dramatic shift in the leadership of Red Bull’s motorsport division.

Christian Horner’s track record is impressive: multiple world championships, dominant performances, and a brand that became one of the most recognisable in Formula 1. Nevertheless, the leadership at Red Bull had no hesitation in severing ties with the Milton Keynes operation under his control. The announcement came bluntly from long-time Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, who stated unequivocally, “The decision came from the top levels of the company. From Oliver Mintzlaff.”

Why was Horner removed? The reasons appear to be multifaceted, but the prevailing narrative suggests that his leadership had become excessively centralised and, over time, increasingly ineffective. Helmut Marko elaborated that the structure of the team had grown in an unmanageable way. As a result, a comprehensive reorganisation became essential to restore operational efficiency. According to insiders, Horner’s tendency to micromanage and insert himself into every detail ultimately hampered several critical areas of performance. This perspective is now widely shared within the upper echelons of Red Bull GmbH.

Red Bull: winners and losers in the restructuring
The major loser in this high-level shake-up within the Red Bull Formula 1 organisation is undoubtedly Christian Horner. Once a pillar of the team’s success, Horner now finds himself sidelined, partly due to strategic errors—including the controversial decision to block a potential partnership with Porsche, a scenario that was foreshadowed in recent weeks (read here for more).

On the other hand, the so-called “Verstappen camp” appears to have emerged strengthened from this internal reconfiguration. This influential group, made up of Max Verstappen’s father Jos Verstappen and his manager Raymond Vermeulen, is reportedly very pleased with the direction the team is now heading. Smiles have returned to the Red Bull garage—something that had not been seen in quite some time. Jos Verstappen, also known as “Jos the Boss,” was visibly elated during the recent Belgian Grand Prix weekend. The result of this apparent peace within the organisation is that rumours and speculation surrounding Max Verstappen’s possible departure from the team have quieted—at least for now.

The reigning World Champion Max Verstappen, who had been strongly linked with a move to Mercedes, now appears fully reintegrated into the Red Bull project. At this stage, he seems committed to the team until at least the 2026 season, which is expected to serve as a critical evaluation point. Depending on how Red Bull performs under the new regulations and with their own power unit, Verstappen may either extend his stay until 2028 or choose to embark on a new challenge, possibly as early as 2027. While Mercedes remains a potential destination, Verstappen is also believed to be seriously considering Aston Martin, a team he continues to monitor with interest.

In an attempt to downplay the notion of internal power struggles, Helmut Marko has rejected any interpretation of the situation as a civil war within the team. “There are no Verstappen groups, no Austrian or Thai factions. We are all working in the same direction. The results we’ve achieved—both on and off the track—would not have been possible if there were internal conflicts,” Marko asserted.

Such statements, however, contrast with the recent history of the organisation, which has often painted a picture of division and even internal strife. The story of Christian Horner’s rise and spectacular fall—culminating in the departure of legendary designer Adrian Newey—is emblematic of these tensions. The loss of Adrian Newey is a major blow that continues to reverberate within the team and could carry serious consequences as Formula 1 prepares to enter a new regulatory era.

A new Red Bull: clearer roles and the resurgence of Austrian ownership
What kind of Red Bull is emerging from this transition? The future of the team is now in the hands of Laurent Mekies, who has taken on the dual responsibilities of Team Principal and Chief Executive Officer. His stated objective is to “eliminate bottlenecks”—in simpler terms, to reduce the concentration of power and encourage greater delegation and division of responsibilities. The marketing operations, the RB17 road-going hypercar project, and the power unit development will each have their own dedicated leaders. Meanwhile, Laurent Mekies will concentrate on what truly matters in Formula 1: delivering performance on the racetrack.

The Red Bull Racing facility in Milton Keynes employs more than 2,000 people, necessitating a streamlined and technically focused management approach. Mekies will work closely with the racing team, while other aspects of the business—communications, marketing, logistics, and more—will be managed by separate figures, many of whom report directly to the headquarters in Salzburg, which boasts deep expertise in these areas.

Laurent Mekies’ operational approach is not just seen as a return to Red Bull’s original philosophy, but also as a valuable strategic asset for bringing order back to a highly complex organisation. Helmut Marko praised his past leadership, noting, “He did an excellent job in Faenza. The team improved both technically and in terms of its image,” suggesting that other teams have also benefited from having technically competent individuals in top positions.

One unresolved issue still casting a shadow over this transformation is Christian Horner’s contractual status. Technically, he remains tied to Red Bull Racing, awaiting a final agreement regarding his exit. He is still receiving his full salary but has been entirely excluded from all decision-making processes.

Red Bull will likely want to sever this final link soon—a symbolic and practical step necessary to conclude a transition that has taken far too long. The goal is to move past the dysfunctions that disrupted what was once a perfectly functioning machine, a benchmark for excellence in Formula 1 just one year ago.

What will emerge is a completely restructured Red Bull Racing team, founded on new operational strategies. The ambition remains the same: to return to the top of the sport. However, there is an awareness that it may take time to fully implement these changes—and the lingering question is whether Max Verstappen is willing to wait.