Red Bull has turned the page in its Formula 1 management structure. Christian Horner’s departure was seen as highly necessary to rebuild a calmer environment, focusing on organisation, concentration, and strategy. The arrival of Laurent Mekies marks a new chapter following internal changes aimed at optimising performance both on track and at the factory. A decision that stems from far back in time: but are we really sure it was the right move?
From chaos to strategy: how Red Bull cleaned up the environment and optimised the team
The decision to move on was not perceived as a risk, but rather as a necessity that had become unavoidable. The Milton Keynes team felt the need to take a new direction, leaving behind a turbulent but successful past. This was not an action driven by the desire to replace individuals or punish anyone, but rather a carefully considered evaluation.
Horner brought with him solid experience and had achieved extraordinary results starting from nothing. No one can deny this when looking back to 2005, when Red Bull emerged from the remains of the Jordan team and began building what would become one of the most dominant forces in modern motorsport. We are talking about the titles won with Sebastian Vettel, later repeated with Max Verstappen: 14 world championships in total, eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ titles.
Christian’s work was always highly appreciated within the team. However, relying solely on that legacy was no longer considered sufficient, according to Oliver Mintzlaff. The Red Bull CEO believed it was time to open a new chapter, to look forward and build a future phase based on concrete objectives and new dynamics.
This is where the idea of appointing Laurent Mekies as team leader came from. The former Ferrari man has done an outstanding job in this sense. He restored confidence within the group and, together with ownership, laid the foundations for a second major era in the team’s twenty-year history. A transition that he managed from the very beginning with clarity, immediately integrating himself into the working structure.
Red Bull, Horner’s dismissal: was it really justified by performance on track?
The decision was not taken lightly, and above all, it was not made overnight. This is how Mintzlaff describes it. On the contrary, it was the result of calm and deep reflection. There was a need to regroup, as focus on the track had started to fade — a crucial factor when competing at the highest level with championship ambitions.
The arrival of Mekies and the reduced influence of Horner “cleaned” the environment of a certain level of toxicity that had begun to settle in Milton Keynes. Too many internal distractions, excess complexity, and organisational friction were affecting weekly performance, not only of the car but of the entire team. A structure no longer capable of consistently delivering strong execution on race weekends.
And indeed, we saw a noticeable change in approach and mentality. A shift that almost reversed the competitive hierarchy, also thanks in part to McLaren’s own mistakes. The British team, after securing the Constructors’ Championship early, had to wait until the final race to confirm the Drivers’ title as well, while still suffering the blow of seeing Verstappen finish 2025 as the driver with the most wins.
The final blow to Milton Keynes
Red Bull appeared to have transformed into a group focused on optimisation with the RB21, and although the car was not on McLaren’s MCL39 level in pure performance terms, with a single dominant driver the Austrian team still demonstrated what true competition means. A warning that, for the 2026 season, has completely changed, as the team has now fallen into crisis.
And it is not the power unit, as one might have expected, but rather the technical direction of the car itself. We are talking about chassis, mechanical systems, and aerodynamics. On top of that, Red Bull continues to lose key personnel, the latest being Gianpiero Lambiase. A scenario that highlights the absence of a true leader capable of keeping the group united.
All things considered, Horner’s departure appears to have been the final blow that effectively dismantled the structure that once dominated Formula 1. Only Max Verstappen remains, and as we know, he is seriously considering a team switch or even retirement. Are we really sure that, with Horner still in charge and perhaps a reduced but more focused role, Red Bull would have struggled this much?
The current state of Red Bull shows that stability at the top is often the foundation of technical excellence. While the new management sought to eliminate toxicity, they may have inadvertently stripped away the competitive fire and organizational cohesion that defined the team’s golden era. As the 2026 season unfolds, the challenge for Mekies and Mintzlaff will be to prove that this restructuring was a necessary evolution rather than a self-inflicted wound. For the fans and for Max Verstappen, the clock is ticking to find a “Plan B” before the legacy of the Milton Keynes giants fades into the midfield.
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