Helmut Marko praises the former Ferrari executive: “He has already made his mark.” But will that be enough to revive a team that has recently shown signs of decline?
Laurent Mekies quickly earned the approval of Helmut Marko just weeks after joining Red Bull’s management team. This is no minor detail, considering that the Austrian advisor is traditionally sparing with praise.
The former Ferrari executive, who arrived in Milton Keynes during a period of transition and uncertainty for the team, rapidly established credibility within Red Bull. While his management style differs markedly from that of team principal Christian Horner, whom Marko describes as more aggressive and centralized, Mekies has been able to consolidate his position quietly but methodically.
Marko highlighted Mekies’ commitment and work ethic, stating, “He immediately immersed himself in the role. He spent endless days at the factory, sometimes up to 14 hours, engaging directly with key personnel and initiating focused discussions. He has shown he can maximize every single minute available.”
Mekies: the power of technical expertise
According to the experienced Red Bull advisor, Laurent Mekies’ greatest strength lies in his technical expertise. “Mekies is, above all, an engineer, which naturally brings conversations into a more technical and concrete domain. That was precisely what we were looking for in that position. In addition, he possesses a strong and stable personality, which is naturally asserting itself within the team.”
Laurent Mekies’ first real test came at the Belgian Grand Prix, where he chose to carefully study the team’s internal organization. “Joining a team that has been winning consistently for years,” Marko remarked, “also means understanding in depth which mechanisms work and where improvements are possible. It’s not an easy task, especially mid-season, but he has already begun establishing his priorities.”
Inevitably, the focus also turns to the future. With the approach of 2026, the year that will see the introduction of radically new technical regulations, the stakes are high. Laurent Mekies had already developed his own strategic approach when leading the Racing Bulls, but it remains to be seen whether those concepts can be successfully adapted to Red Bull or if they will require specific modifications to suit the team’s dynamics.
In his first weeks, Laurent Mekies primarily observed and asked questions, but early signs of his influence are beginning to emerge. The impact on the sporting front may take longer to materialize, yet his objectives are clear: to preserve and strengthen the competitive spirit that has made Red Bull a benchmark in Formula 1.
Red Bull, Laurent Mekies: a year to convince Max Verstappen
The challenges facing Red Bull’s engineers, mechanics, and leadership are enormous. Beyond the new regulations—which represent a common challenge across the entire Formula 1 grid—Red Bull will also need to manage the transition from Honda engines to in-house power units developed in collaboration with Ford. This could be a potential shock for a team accustomed to relying on external suppliers and now tasked with assuming the full responsibilities of a constructor.
Additionally, the technical department has come under pressure, especially after Adrian Newey’s departure, which left a void that has yet to be fully addressed. Pierre Waché has struggled to replicate the success of his predecessor, making a significant leap forward necessary. This challenge could be mitigated somewhat by the introduction of Red Bull’s new state-of-the-art wind tunnel, which will finally replace the outdated Bedford facility.
The year 2026 will therefore be one of critical evaluation, particularly for Max Verstappen. While he has resisted calls from Brackley, he has not entirely dismissed the possibility of moving to Mercedes, potentially after 2026, depending on how his current team progresses and how the team pursuing him develops. For Laurent Mekies, this represents a particularly demanding task, requiring focus, strategic planning, and the ability to maintain Red Bull’s competitive edge in an era of significant technical change.
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