Laurent Mekies has stepped into his new roles as team boss and CEO of Red Bull Racing following the removal of Christian Horner from operational leadership. This leadership change comes as Red Bull prepares for the 2026 Formula 1 season, with Mekies acknowledging the difficult process ahead to restore the team’s winning form under new regulations.
The focus on Mekies Red Bull F1 2026 efforts highlights an important transition period for the team, which must contend with new competition rules and the challenge of developing its own power unit for the first time through Red Bull Powertrains.
Acknowledging the Need for Reorganization: Insights from Guenther Steiner
Christian Horner’s departure as team principal and executive roles was confirmed soon after the British Grand Prix, with Red Bull GmbH replacing him with Laurent Mekies, who had been promoted to team boss at the end of 2023. While Mekies now leads the race team, the broader corporate structure sees Stefan Salzer appointed as director for Red Bull Racing and its holding companies, signaling a new management setup.
Guenther Steiner, former Haas team principal and an experienced figure in Formula 1 management, described the decision as a long time coming, reflecting ongoing internal issues that had emerged for over eighteen months. Steiner pointed to tension within the team and dissatisfaction from star driver Max Verstappen as key reasons for the shake-up.
“That’s why Red Bull wants to reorganise.”
—Guenther Steiner, Former Haas Team Principal
Steiner, now a respected F1 pundit, emphasized the importance of restoring stability at Red Bull, noting Verstappen’s desire to remain competitive and satisfied. However, he warned that rebuilding a front-running team is a demanding task that requires time and patience.
Mekies Faces Steep Challenges in Leading Red Bull’s Revival
Laurent Mekies’ background includes roles as an engineer at Toro Rosso and sporting director at Ferrari, but his time as a Formula 1 team principal only began recently, making his leadership test substantial. Red Bull’s recent RB21 car performance has declined, and with major regulatory changes imminent in 2026, Mekies must quickly establish authority and guide the team through a difficult rebuilding phase.
Steiner expressed concern over the expectations placed on Mekies, urging stakeholders not to expect immediate miracles given the complexity of the challenges. He highlighted the loss of key personnel from Red Bull to rival teams, which complicates efforts to employ top talent necessary for a swift recovery.
“I just hope they don’t put too much pressure on Laurent Mekies. He’s not a magician, after all.”
—Guenther Steiner, Former Haas Team Principal
“It can take years [to rebuild].”
—Guenther Steiner, Former Haas Team Principal
Another critical aspect is Red Bull’s endeavor to build its own engine in partnership with Ford, a project Steiner described as hugely demanding. Combined factors paint a picture of a challenging journey ahead for Red Bull’s new leadership.
“Red Bull is currently on a downward trajectory rather than an upward one. Mekies has a huge job ahead of him.”
—Guenther Steiner, Former Haas Team Principal
“Good people have left and spread out to other teams. Now he has to try to attract new top talent, and that’s difficult.”
—Guenther Steiner, Former Haas Team Principal
“What’s more, Red Bull is building its own engine with Ford. That’s a huge project.”
—Guenther Steiner, Former Haas Team Principal
Max Verstappen’s Role and Future with Red Bull
Despite the internal upheaval, Max Verstappen has pledged his commitment to Red Bull for the 2026 Formula 1 season. His continued presence is vital for the team’s prospects, but questions remain about how competitive Red Bull will be as it adapts to new power unit regulations and attempts to regain its former dominance.
Steiner projected that Red Bull would remain among the leading teams in 2026 but would likely fall short of the absolute front of the field during the initial phase of transition.
“It’s definitely not going to run smoothly in the first year. They’ll be among the front-runners in 2026, but not quite at the very front. They’ll still be some way behind the leaders.”
—Guenther Steiner, Former Haas Team Principal
Laurent Mekies Acknowledges the Tough Road Ahead
Mekies has responded candidly to the challenges facing him and the Red Bull team as they prepare for the upcoming regulatory changes. Speaking after the Hungarian Grand Prix, he conveyed a clear understanding of the intense competition and pressure inherent to operating a top Formula 1 team.
“We don’t underestimate what is ahead of us. A top team has a target to win, and the biggest difference with the competition in the midfield is that, at every race weekend, you come back and there is only one answer: did you win or did you not?”
—Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Boss
Mekies stressed the relentless pursuit of victory that defines Red Bull’s culture, describing the factory environment as one entirely dedicated to winning. He emphasized the importance of resilience when facing setbacks and expressed confidence that the team’s collective talent and experience will drive future improvements.
“So we enjoy that. Red Bull Racing enjoys that. If you walk into the factory, you will find people that are only there to win and it’s a very strong feeling, of course.”
—Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Boss
“Resilience is important in this sport, and you get weekends like this one, where you feel the world is not going the way you would like it to be. But, again, there are so many talents, so many skills, so much experience in the team that we all very well know, outside of the noise of the race track, we very well know that we will make steps, thanks to talent like that.”
—Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Boss
“So no, it is not overwhelming. It’s a sentiment that we all went through more often than not, and I’m sure it will be the fuel for the future success of the team.”
—Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Boss
Looking Ahead at Red Bull’s Prospects Under Mekies
The transition to 2026 presents Red Bull Racing with a multifaceted challenge that includes adapting to new technical regulations, developing a proprietary power unit in partnership with Ford, and rebuilding a team depleted of key staff. With Laurent Mekies now at the helm, the organization faces a critical rebuilding phase that could span several years.
Steiner’s insight underscores the reality that Red Bull’s path to reclaiming F1 supremacy will require steadiness and effort, with early struggles expected before the team fully recovers. Mekies’ ability to manage personnel, drive innovation, and maintain team morale will be crucial as Red Bull targets a return to the front of the grid.
The coming seasons will test Red Bull’s resilience and strategic vision, and the team’s performance will be closely watched by fans, drivers, and competitors alike.