Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has rejected Christian Horner’s suggestion that the team has lost its identity, insisting that its remarkable 2026 Formula 1 recovery demonstrates an exceptional fighting spirit. Following Max Verstappen’s victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix, the Frenchman defended the atmosphere within the Milton Keynes operation and revealed that Red Bull’s long-awaited new wind tunnel is expected to become operational during the 2027 season.
Red Bull’s impressive autumn continued in Mexico, where Max Verstappen returned to winning ways after Andrea Kimi Antonelli had interrupted the team’s winning streak in Austin. The victory, achieved through an outstanding performance from the Dutchman and strong support from the team, allowed Red Bull to move clear of McLaren in third place in the Constructors’ Championship. Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar gained two valuable points after being promoted from 12th to ninth following penalties for Oscar Piastri and both Alpine drivers, having endured several unfortunate incidents during the race.
Laurent Mekies praises Red Bull after Max Verstappen’s Mexico GP victory
Laurent Mekies took considerable satisfaction from Red Bull’s latest success, which marked the team’s third victory in four races with Max Verstappen. The Red Bull boss highlighted how the squad had overcome the unusual challenges of the Mexico City Grand Prix, particularly those affecting the chassis and power unit.
“This is our third victory in the last four races with Max; a result that reflects the talent, hard work and spirit that define our team,” Mekies explained. “Everyone, both at the track and in Milton Keynes, did an exceptional job this weekend, managing to adapt the car to difficult conditions and bring home this truly special victory. I am very proud of how the team tackled the unique challenges of the Mexico GP, both on the chassis side and the power unit side, once again demonstrating an extraordinary level of execution.”
The Frenchman also praised the performances of both Red Bull drivers, recognising Max Verstappen’s commanding race and Isack Hadjar’s determination despite the difficulties he encountered.
“Max delivered a masterful performance, extracting every millisecond from the car and using every millimetre of the track to manage all the situations that arose today. It was far from easy, with the Safety Car, the red flag and the standing starts, but Max responded as he always does: he fought hard until the very end and fully deserved the victory.”
Turning his attention to Hadjar, Mekies added: “For Isack, it was a complicated race. After the contact with George Russell, he was forced to fight his way back from the rear of the field. Every time he managed to make progress, the circumstances of the race worked against him; nevertheless, he never gave up and completed numerous overtakes.”
Laurent Mekies responds to Christian Horner’s criticism of Red Bull
Beyond the team’s performance on the circuit, Mekies also addressed comments made by former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. During the launch of his autobiography, Horner suggested that Red Bull had lost its “magic”, “presence” and “atmosphere” following his departure and that of Helmut Marko, two figures who had been central to the organisation since its arrival in Formula 1.
The remarks prompted questions about the internal environment at Red Bull, particularly following the significant changes to its leadership structure. However, Mekies offered a very different assessment, arguing that the team’s response to its early-season difficulties demonstrated precisely the qualities Horner believed had disappeared.
“First of all, Christian is fully entitled to his opinion. He spent a very long time with this team, and I respect his point of view. However, we feel extremely differently about the atmosphere within the team,” Mekies responded.
“I think one of the strengths we have drawn upon, especially over the last few months, has been the incredible team spirit that allowed us to recover from what was objectively a very difficult situation. It is easy to maintain a positive atmosphere when you are winning; it is something entirely different to demonstrate that same unity and fighting spirit when you are under pressure.”
After a difficult start to the 2026 season, Red Bull has emerged as Mercedes’ principal challenger in recent race weekends. Its improved competitiveness has also allowed the team to strengthen its position against McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, adding weight to Mekies’ defence of the organisation’s working environment.
Red Bull refuses to settle for race wins as Mekies targets both F1 titles
The Red Bull team principal went on to emphasise the determination shown throughout the Milton Keynes operation. According to Mekies, the response to the team’s early problems with both the chassis and power unit had required a collective effort, supported by direct and uncompromising feedback from its drivers.
“We had a challenging first part of the championship, both on the chassis side and the power unit side. The way the team came together, firing up the departments at the factory to turn things around, together with the brutally honest feedback from our drivers, perfectly embodies the Red Bull spirit.”
“The guys have received the rewards they deserved with a remarkable turnaround. But we are very aware that we live and die by our results: the objective is not to win one or two races, the objective is to get back to winning both World Championships. Until we are there, nobody will feel that we have achieved anything.”
Despite Red Bull’s recent resurgence, Mekies therefore remains focused on the bigger picture. The team’s three victories in four races represent considerable progress, but its ultimate ambition is to return to the position it previously occupied at the summit of Formula 1.
That longer-term objective is also shaping Red Bull’s technical preparations for the coming seasons, with the team working to strengthen the infrastructure available to its engineers and aerodynamicists. The importance of development resources has been highlighted by the ongoing 2027 development battle involving Red Bull and its Formula 1 rivals.
Red Bull’s new wind tunnel set to become operational during 2027
One of the most important developments for Red Bull’s future is the construction of its new wind tunnel, a facility that Max Verstappen considers among the factors giving him confidence in the team’s long-term prospects. The project will replace Red Bull’s current wind tunnel, which is now regarded as the oldest in Formula 1.
Laurent Mekies explained that although the existing facility has played an important role in the team’s previous success, moving to a modern installation should provide significant opportunities for the aerodynamic department.
“The facility we are using has produced extraordinary results over the last few years, but the assessment that it is the oldest on the grid is correct. Moving to a state-of-the-art facility, which the team has designed to bring us back to the very top in that area, will undoubtedly provide a competitive advantage.”
“It will not happen at the exact moment we switch everything on, but it will unlock enormous potential and give our talented aerodynamicists another tool to express their ideas.”
The planned facility represents an important part of Red Bull’s future development programme. However, Mekies stressed that the benefits will not be immediate, as the installation must first undergo the necessary calibration work before it can be fully integrated into the team’s aerodynamic development processes.
When will Red Bull’s new wind tunnel be ready for the 2027 and 2028 F1 cars?
Regarding the precise timetable, Mekies confirmed that the new wind tunnel will not be ready at the beginning of the 2027 Formula 1 season. Instead, the team expects it to become operational at some point during the championship, with the final date depending on the progress of calibration.
“The facility is not ready yet. It will become operational during the 2027 season; we will see whether that is in the first, second or third quarter, depending on the time required to complete the calibration stages,” the French manager explained.
“It will most likely have an impact on the second part of the development of the 2027 car and, hopefully, on almost all of the development of the 2028 car.”
The timing means Red Bull does not expect the new facility to make a significant contribution to the initial development of its 2027 challenger. Instead, the first substantial benefits are anticipated later in that season, with the 2028 project expected to take much fuller advantage of the upgraded infrastructure.
For Max Verstappen and Red Bull, the combination of improved on-track results, a united workforce and investment in future development provides reasons for optimism. Nevertheless, Laurent Mekies has made it clear that the team’s recovery will only be complete when Red Bull is once again competing successfully for both Formula 1 world championships.
More Red Bull and Formula 1 news
- Max Verstappen jokes about Red Bull’s starting problems after Mexico GP qualifying
- 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship standings
- How Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull approached their 2026 development programmes
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