Ralf Schumacher has shared his thoughts on the new Red Bull team principal, Laurent Mekies, emphasizing the positive changes already visible at the Milton Keynes-based team. The German former F1 driver has no doubts that Laurent Mekies is starting to leave a significant mark on the squad. Tasked with steering Red Bull through a challenging season, Laurent Mekies is facing a year that has so far seen the team score only 194 points, with 187 of them contributed by Max Verstappen alone.
In an interview with the German newspaper Bild, Ralf Schumacher highlighted the immediate impact of Mekies’ leadership while also pointing out the current struggles within the team. According to Schumacher, Milton Keynes is entering a difficult period of reconstruction. “Mekies brings back the Red Bull of the past. Accessible, human, open—no more power struggles behind the scenes,” Schumacher remarked. “However, it will take two or three years before the team truly returns to its former level. At the moment, the team is trapped in mediocrity.”
A challenging season for Red Bull
The 2025 season has proven unexpectedly difficult for Red Bull, particularly after three years of near-total dominance. In 2023, the team set record-breaking results by winning 21 out of 22 races. But by the end of last year, the landscape shifted dramatically, with McLaren and Ferrari rising strongly in the championship standings, pushing Red Bull down to third place in the Constructors’ Championship.
Max Verstappen managed to secure his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship thanks to the points accumulated in the early races. However, he had to contend with a car that continued to present challenges throughout the year. These difficulties persisted in 2025, compounded by the replacement of Sergio Pérez and later Liam Lawson, leaving the second car consistently underperforming.
Off the track, Red Bull also faced turbulence. Christian Horner was involved in multiple conflicts following accusations from a colleague, while rumors about Max Verstappen potentially considering a Mercedes seat added further tension. The situation escalated fully in July, when Horner stepped down from his roles as CEO and team principal. With Verstappen confirming his commitment to the team for 2026 and Laurent Mekies ready to lead a new chapter, Red Bull’s path forward will be challenging. Yet, the Milton Keynes outfit has historically shown resilience and determination, suggesting the team is prepared to overcome these obstacles.
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