The Frenchman Laurent Mekies has officially started his tenure as Chief Executive Officer and Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, and he did so directly at the track during a filming day held at Silverstone. Before turning his full attention to the team’s future objectives, Mekies made a point of paying tribute to his predecessor, Christian Horner. Horner was recently ousted from his position after leading the team for two decades. Mekies emphasized the significant legacy Horner left behind at the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
The new chapter for Red Bull began at Silverstone, United Kingdom, on a sunny July day, where the team had scheduled a long-planned filming session. Laurent Mekies, stepping into the dual role of CEO and Team Principal, made his debut in charge right from the pitlane. The Frenchman replaces Christian Horner, who had been the cornerstone of Red Bull Racing since its transformation from Jaguar Racing, guiding the team for 20 years and shaping it into one of the most successful entities in the history of Formula 1.
Christian Horner reportedly lost the confidence of Red Bull’s shareholders, a development influenced by the team’s recent drop in competitiveness. Once a dominant force in the championship, Red Bull has found itself unable to defend its titles effectively over the past two seasons. Additional complications included ongoing challenges with the performance of the second driver, which have cost the team crucial points in the Constructors’ Championship, a series of high-profile personnel departures, and growing uncertainty surrounding the future of star driver Max Verstappen.
In his very first interview since assuming the leadership role, Laurent Mekies began by addressing the contributions of Christian Horner. Mekies offered a heartfelt tribute to the man who built the team from the ground up, stating how unusual it will be to move forward without the figure who defined the identity of Red Bull Racing for so many years.
“It still feels a bit unreal to be here and not see him. It’s impossible to underestimate the magnitude of what this team has achieved under Christian Horner’s 20 years of leadership,” Mekies said during an interview released by Red Bull on the occasion of the Silverstone filming day.
“I first met Christian twenty years ago, when he was the youngest Team Principal on the Formula 1 grid. It’s simply incredible to see how he managed to elevate this team to such heights, winning multiple championships and countless races along the way.”
“Christian Horner is also the person who, along with Helmut Marko and Oliver Mintzlaff, brought me back into the Red Bull family two years ago. So, today, my first thoughts genuinely go to him,” added the French engineer, who had previously worked within the Red Bull ecosystem between 2006 and 2014. During that time, he was part of the Toro Rosso team—now known as Racing Bulls—where he collaborated with future World Champion Sebastian Vettel before moving on to serve at the FIA.
Laurent Mekies went on to explain that his primary objective will be to harness and enhance the talents already present within the Red Bull Technology Campus. With the sweeping regulatory changes scheduled for the 2026 Formula 1 season, the team is also transitioning into a full-fledged manufacturer thanks to the development of Red Bull Powertrains.
“I continue to view these people the same way many do from the outside. I see them as the best in the world at what they do. That’s what this team represents. Even when I was on the other side of the garage, we always regarded Red Bull Racing as the most brilliant squad on the grid, capable of assembling an unparalleled level of talent. For me, it’s a privilege to now be part of it,” he explained.
During his brief tenure as Team Principal of Racing Bulls, Mekies led the technical team through a complex period. This included internal restructuring, with key engineering changes, as well as performance struggles during the previous season, particularly in the mid-season phase when upgrades to the car failed to deliver the expected results.
Despite those hurdles, Racing Bulls managed to recover, ultimately establishing itself as one of the most competitive teams in the midfield. Now, Mekies faces the task of restoring a similar sense of stability and confidence within Red Bull Racing. This means ensuring that the engineers and designers operate under optimal conditions, both in terms of technical infrastructure and team culture, continuing the long-term vision initiated by Christian Horner. Horner had been a strong advocate for equipping the staff with state-of-the-art tools and facilities.
“Our goal will truly be to ensure that all the talented individuals here have everything they need to perform at their highest potential—because they already are the best in the business. We will focus entirely on this, on letting the Red Bull energy flow through every part of the organization,” Mekies stated.
“We’re not underestimating the scale of the challenge ahead of us. Formula 1 is about to undergo perhaps the biggest regulatory transformation in its history. For Red Bull Racing, this will carry an even more unique significance, as we will face it with a power unit of our own making. It will be an incredible challenge,” he emphasized.
“In the coming weeks, I’ll dedicate myself to meeting as many people as possible within the team, listening to them, and trying to understand more about this extraordinary machine that is Red Bull Racing. The ultimate goal is to find the best way to contribute and provide meaningful support,” concluded Laurent Mekies.
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