Red Bull has confirmed a long-term contract extension for Laurent Mekies that will keep the Frenchman as team principal until at least 2031. The agreement was announced following the team’s recent victories in Malaysia and Singapore and is designed to provide continuity as Red Bull builds for the next phase of its Formula 1 project.
Mekies has led the Milton Keynes team since July 2025 and will now remain in charge for at least another five years. The former Racing Bulls boss, who has also held senior roles at Ferrari, Minardi, Toro Rosso and the FIA, has overseen a period of significant competitive recovery.
Red Bull confirms Laurent Mekies extension until 2031
Red Bull announced the agreement during a team briefing at Milton Keynes, with shareholder Mark Mateschitz confirming the long-term extension after the victories in Malaysia and Singapore.
“Today, during a team briefing in Milton Keynes, following victories in Malaysia and Singapore, Red Bull shareholder Mark Mateschitz announced the long-term extension of the contract of Laurent Mekies, CEO and Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, until 2031,” the team said in its official statement.
The announcement follows the recent contract renewals of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, as well as the recruitment of key figures ahead of the 2027 season. Red Bull said those moves further strengthen the foundations of its long-term project.
Laurent Mekies says Red Bull has strong foundations for the future
Laurent Mekies thanked the team’s ownership and staff for the confidence shown in him and stressed the collaborative culture within Red Bull.
“I am incredibly proud to continue this journey with Red Bull Racing and I would like to thank Chalerm, Mark and Oliver, the entire team and everyone involved for the trust they have placed in this project,” Laurent Mekies said.
“What makes this team special is the way everyone works together towards the same goal, and I feel privileged to work every day with such a talented and motivated group.”
Mekies also highlighted the importance of the technical groups led by Pierre Waché and Ben Hodgkinson in shaping Red Bull’s future.
“Together, with the working groups of Pierre Waché and Ben Hodgkinson playing a central role in shaping our future, we have strong foundations for the years ahead and we genuinely believe this is only the beginning.”
“Looking to the future, we will continue to follow the principles that define us: freedom of thought, speed of action and boldness in decision-making.”
Red Bull’s recent revival strengthens Mekies position
Mekies arrives at his new long-term agreement after two particularly successful race weekends. Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia before Red Bull followed that success with another dominant weekend in Singapore.
The improvement has been driven by a major technical and aerodynamic step forward with the RB22. Since the middle of the summer, Max Verstappen has scored more championship points than any other driver, even slightly outscoring Kimi Antonelli, who has dominated much of the 2026 season.
That progress has reinforced Red Bull’s confidence in Mekies and in the technical direction of the team as it prepares for the next stage of development.
Red Bull shareholders back Mekies leadership
Red Bull shareholders Chalerm Yoovidhya and Mark Mateschitz praised Mekies for leading the team through an important period of transition while preserving its competitive identity.
“The strength of Red Bull has always come from the people within it and from the ability to create an environment in which talented individuals can achieve extraordinary results together,” they said.
“Laurent has played a fundamental role in guiding the team through an important transition while preserving the competitive spirit and the Red Bull principles that define us.”
“This contract extension reflects the confidence we have in his leadership and our shared belief in the team’s long-term vision. We are ambitious about what lies ahead and determined to build on this momentum together.”
Oliver Mintzlaff highlights continuity and leadership
Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments, also praised Mekies’ leadership qualities and the combination of technical expertise and strategic thinking he has brought to the team.
“Laurent has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities since returning to the Red Bull family,” Oliver Mintzlaff said.
“He combines technical expertise, strategic thinking and a deep understanding of the factors that determine the success of our team.”
Mintzlaff also stressed the importance of continuity at the top of the organisation.
“Equally important is the fact that he embodies the values and mentality that define Red Bull: courage, teamwork, determination and an endless desire to compete at the highest level.”
“Continuity in leadership is a fundamental element in ensuring lasting success, and we are delighted that Laurent will continue to lead the team into the next chapter of our journey.”
Mekies has already overseen major Red Bull turnaround
Under Laurent Mekies, Red Bull produced a remarkable comeback during the second half of the 2025 season and ultimately missed out on the Drivers’ Championship by only two points.
The team then entered a new era in 2026 by competing for the first time with its own power unit. The breakthrough came in Malaysia with Red Bull’s first victory of the season, followed by a dominant Singapore weekend in which the team won both the Sprint and the Grand Prix.
Those results have now been followed by a long-term commitment to Mekies, giving Red Bull continuity in its leadership as it works to sustain its recent resurgence and strengthen the foundations of its future Formula 1 programme.
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