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12h ago

Laurent Mekies Named Red Bull Team Principal After Horner’s Exit

The appointment seeks to restore stability at a team hit by recent performance declines.

Scuderia Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur and Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner arrive in the paddock together during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 26, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico.
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Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on May 30, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.
Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner talks with Bernie Ecclestone, Chairman Emeritus of the Formula One Group, and Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko before the Formula One Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 11, 2018 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Overview

  • Christian Horner has stepped down as Red Bull Racing’s team principal and CEO after more than 20 years without any official explanation.
  • Laurent Mekies has been promoted from the Racing Bulls junior squad to lead the Milton Keynes-based operation.
  • The leadership overhaul follows a noticeable drop in on-track competitiveness and the departure of senior technical figures including Adrian Newey since 2023.
  • An internal investigation in 2024 cleared Horner of misconduct allegations but is said to have strained ties with key stakeholders such as Jos Verstappen.
  • Veterans from Nigel Mansell to Johnny Herbert warn that Red Bull faces a transitional phase with questions over driver loyalties and its rebuilding strategy.