Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has revealed that Laurent Mekies’ arrival after Christian Horner’s dismissal has brought a “totally different atmosphere than before” at the Formula 1 giants.
After serving as the Milton Keynes-based squad‘s CEO and Team Principal since its inception in 2005, Horner was shown the exit door earlier this season.
The Briton had come under scrutiny from the fans and media after his ‘inappropriate behaviour’ scandal last season.
Since then, rumours had been abound that Horner had lost the faith of the upper echelons of Red Bull’s management.
A prolonged period of struggle with a deficient RB21 was the final nail in the coffin that saw Horner sacked mid-way through the current season.
Former Ferrari man Mekies, who had led sister team Racing Bulls since 2024, was promoted to the main team with immediate effect from the Belgian GP onwards.
“Of course it took me by surprise. Then you try to digest and then you say, wait a second, it’s Red Bull calling you to step in that role. How can it be anything else than a privilege,” he had told Formula1.com.
“So you get that Red Bull energy feeling there. And that’s how it happened. Obviously I called them back. And the rest is history.”
Marko makes Horner comparison with Mekies in Red Bull hot seat
The Frenchman has been at the helm of the six-time Constructors’ champions for three races so far — overseeing Max Verstappen’s return to a Grand Prix podium for the first time since the Canadian GP, last weekend.
Marko, who was crucial in elevating Mekies to the Team Principal role, has now given his verdict while taking a subtle dig at his former partner-in-crime.
“Mekies is a top technician, which, with the complexity of the current Formula 1, is a huge advantage,” he told OE24.
“He gets along well with people, there is a totally different atmosphere than before.”
Looking forward to the 2026 regulations reset, however, the Austrian was cautiously optimistic about the team’s chances.
“If you look at the experience of our competitors, that’s true. But I say: we shall see,” he added.
“The subject is so complex that under the new regulations everything is possible. There will be huge surprises, both positive and negative. I choose to think positively for now.”
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