New Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies has revealed his attention will be on maximising the abilities within the team that he considers the “best in the world” in Formula 1.
Red Bull’s announcement earlier this week that Horner’s two-decade reign as team boss and CEO has ended coincided with the news that Mekies has succeeded him.
Among the principal things on the Frenchman’s initial agenda will be to restore calm in the team amid the turbulence that stained Horner’s last 18 months at the helm.
Mekies has taken on the role at a time when there are mounting rumours that Max Verstappen might leave as Red Bull’s championship challenge in 2025 has faltered.
However, Mekies has insisted that he holds no doubts about the personnel that he has inherited as Red Bull gears towards the impending regulation overhaul in 2026.
“I still look at these guys as most people outside of the team look at them,” Mekies said at a planned Red Bull filming day at Silverstone.
“We look at you guys and we see the very best people in the world at what they do. That’s what this team is.
“Even from being competitors previously, we look at you guys as being the sharpest team, having managed to accumulate the biggest amount of talents together and it’s a privilege to join the team.
“The focus will really be at making sure that all the talented people here have what they need to perform at their best, because they are already the very best. And we’ll be focusing on that, focusing on making sure that the Red Bull energy is flowing through the team.
“We are not underestimating the challenge ahead. Formula 1 is going to face probably the biggest change of regulations in its history. And it has a very particular taste for Red Bull as we go with our own power unit. So it’s going to be an incredible challenge.
“The next few weeks will be dedicated to trying to meet as many of our people as possible, to listen to them, to try to understand this beautiful magic machine that is Red Bull Formula 1 and eventually find ways to contribute and to support.”
Mekies hails Horner’s contribution to Red Bull
Mekies, who had two spells with Red Bull’s satellite side, paid tribute to his predecessor’s involvement in transcending the organisation into a multi-title-winning team.
“It still feels a bit unreal to be here and not to see him,” Mekies added regarding Horner’s departure.
“It would be impossible to underestimate the size of the achievement that this team has had under 20 years of Christian’s leadership.
“I met him 20 years ago when he was the youngest team principal in Formula 1 and it’s unbelievable to see how he has turned this place to the level at which it is now, and on that journey, the many, many titles and wins.
“Christian is also the guy that, together with Helmut [Marko] and Oliver [Mintzlaff], brought me back into the Red Bull family two years ago. And my first thoughts are really for him today.”
READ MORE – Christian Horner’s parting speech to Red Bull F1 staff revealed
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