Laurent Mekies has been appointed to replace Christian Horner as Red Bull’s Formula 1 team principal, tasked with stabilizing the team amid a difficult period.
Idman.biz, citing BBC, reports that his primary challenge is to retain four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who has a contract until 2028 but is reportedly being courted by Mercedes. Verstappen was reportedly uncomfortable with Horner’s past allegations and the team's recent struggles.
Red Bull’s performance has slipped since 2023, with McLaren emerging as the leading force this season. The team now faces technical and strategic challenges, including adapting to new regulations and developing competitive engines for 2026.
Mekies, an experienced engineer and former Ferrari deputy principal, must rebuild trust, stop the brain drain, and improve car design to restore Red Bull’s winning form. His appointment marks a new era for the team as they aim to reclaim their dominance in F1.
Idman.biz
