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In a seismic shift for Formula 1, Red Bull Racing has announced that Laurent Mekies will replace Christian Horner as Team Principal—marking the end of an era and the beginning of a bold new chapter. Horner, who led the team to eight Drivers’ Championships and 124 Grand Prix victories over two decades, departs amid growing internal pressure and a dip in performance. As Red Bull navigates through turbulent waters, Mekies has emerged as the man trusted to steady the ship.
Laurent Mekies’ rarly life and education
Born on April 28, 1977, in Tours, France, Laurent Mekies built his foundation in aerodynamic engineering—a skill set that would later define his Formula 1 journey. With a calm demeanor and technical precision, he steadily made a name for himself in the cutthroat world of motorsport, starting from the grassroots level and climbing every step with purpose.
Climbing the F1 ladder
Laurent Mekies' F1 journey began in the early 2000s at Arrows, followed by a stint at Minardi, where he worked as a race engineer for the likes of Mark Webber and Zsolt Baumgartner. When Minardi was bought by Red Bull and transformed into Toro Rosso in 2006, Mekies was promoted to chief engineer, a role he held for almost a decade—shaping young driver careers and sharpening his race-day instincts.
Steering F1's safety standards at the FIA
In 2014, Mekies stepped away from the pit wall and joined the FIA, F1's governing body, as Safety Director and later Deputy Race Director. During his tenure, he was instrumental in implementing the Halo device, a revolutionary safety feature that has since become a permanent fixture in open-wheel racing.
Shaping a legacy in Maranello
Laurent Mekies made headlines once again in 2018 when he joined Scuderia Ferrari, quickly climbing the ranks from Head of Track Operations to Sporting Director, and eventually Deputy Team Principal. His transition was controversial—due to the short gap between leaving the FIA and joining Ferrari—but his impact was undeniable. Under his leadership, Ferrari witnessed a phase of operational stability and technical focus.
Taking charge at Racing Bulls
In early 2024, Mekies stepped into his first top leadership role as Team Principal of Racing Bulls, formerly known as AlphaTauri. Over the course of a season and a half, he impressed the Red Bull hierarchy with his management skills, driver development initiatives, and technical knowledge. His ability to navigate mid-season driver changes, including giving a platform to Isack Hadjar and backing Liam Lawson’s resurgence, was a testament to his leadership prowess.
Why Mekies was chosen
With Red Bull enduring a rough patch—rumors surrounding Max Verstappen's exit, employee departures, and slipping to fourth in the Constructors’ Championship—the board felt a fresh perspective was needed. Laurent Mekies’ proven track record, engineering intelligence, and calm leadership made him the natural successor.
He now takes over a team facing major challenges: building its own power unit in collaboration with Ford, developing a state-of-the-art wind tunnel, and preparing for the 2026 regulations. All while trying to restore team morale and performance.
While replacing a figure as iconic as Christian Horner won’t be easy, Laurent Mekies brings with him a wealth of experience across all facets of the sport—from engineering to regulation to team leadership. The F1 world will now watch closely as Red Bull enters a new phase under his command.
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