Carlos Sainz believes that Red Bull has appointed the “perfect” replacement for Christian Horner in Formula 1 in the form of new Team Principal Laurent Mekies.
The Frenchman replaced Horner at the Milton Keynes-based squad after the British Grand Prix, amid the shocking decision to relieve Horner of his role after 20 years in charge.
Mekies had previously been holding the same position as its satellite squad Racing Bulls since the start of 2024.
Prior to earning his Team Principal spurs at Racing Bulls, Mekies had also held roles at other teams, including Chief Engineer at its previous incarnation of Toro Rosso.
After a four-year stint as Deputy Race Director at the FIA, Mekies joined Ferrari as Sporting Director, where he worked alongside Sainz.
“He’s, I think, an extremely good professional,” the Spaniard told media including Motorsport Week.
“My time in Ferrari when he was there, I found someone that was incredibly hardworking. He understood very well the driver.
“He had a special feeling and a special communication with drivers, which I think makes things for the driver very comfortable and very open.
“Since his time in the FIA, then Ferrari, now Visa [Racing Bulls], and now coming in Red Bull, he has plenty of experience to lead one of the biggest teams in Formula 1.
“I think he’s honestly the perfect fit for that team. So, congrats to him—probably he deserves that upgrade or that step up. I think he’s going to enjoy it.”
Mekies ‘definitely capable’ of Team Principal role at Red Bull
Sainz’s ex-team-mate and current Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc concurred, saying his experience of Mekies led him to conclude he would make a fine Team Principal.
“When I worked with Laurent, he wasn’t a team principal just yet,” the Monegasque recalled.
“He had a very important position within the team. Laurent has always been extremely good at understanding people.
“He’s one of those where I didn’t have to speak much for him to understand the way I felt. That’s always very helpful.
“I’ve never had him as my Team Principal, but I’ve always seen him as a person definitely capable of becoming one. It’s great to see what’s happening to him.
“I’m super happy for him, when he first made the step to AlphaTauri back then and now at Red Bull Racing. He definitely deserves that.”
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