New Red Bull F1 team principal announced after Christian Horner SACKED with i… read more
In a stunning and sudden development, Red Bull Racing has officially parted ways with long-standing team principal and CEO Christian Horner, ushering in a new era of leadership with the appointment of Laurent Mekies. The decision, which comes mid-season, marks a seismic shift in Formula 1’s power dynamics and signals Red Bull’s intent to reshape its future amid internal tensions and ongoing scrutiny. Mekies, previously the team principal of sister outfit Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri), has been promoted to Red Bull Racing’s top job, taking over from Horner with immediate effect.
The news was confirmed via an official Red Bull Racing statement, which read: “With immediate effect, Laurent Mekies will take over the duties of CEO at Red Bull Racing.” The team also announced a cascading leadership change, promoting current Racing Director Alan Permane to team principal at Racing Bulls to fill the void left by Mekies’ departure.
Mekies brings with him a vast and deeply rooted background in motorsport, having built a career that spans two decades across the paddock. His journey began in 2002 at Minardi, a team that would eventually evolve into Toro Rosso and later AlphaTauri. Mekies served as a race engineer and gradually rose through the ranks to become Chief Engineer. His responsibilities extended across all trackside operations, managing everything from car preparation and assembly to race execution. By 2014, his reputation and technical expertise earned him a role at the FIA, where he served as Safety Director. In this role, Mekies was responsible for advancing motorsport safety standards and overseeing medical and R&D protocols across multiple championships.
His influence within the FIA continued to grow, culminating in his appointment as Deputy Race Director in 2017, working alongside the late Charlie Whiting. In this capacity, Mekies was entrusted with sporting oversight of all FIA single-seater championships, including Formula 1. This role allowed him to gain unmatched insight into regulatory frameworks, race control, and team operations.
In 2018, Mekies returned to the team environment, this time joining Ferrari as Sporting Director. By 2019, he had expanded his responsibilities as Head of Track & Performance Area, ultimately being promoted to Racing Director in 2021. During his tenure, Ferrari experienced moments of resurgence and restructuring, and Mekies was often seen as a stabilizing presence amid changes at the top level of management. After stepping away from Ferrari in 2023, he transitioned to become the principal of Racing Bulls — Red Bull’s rebranded junior team — where he worked closely with CEO Peter Bayer to build a new competitive identity for the Faenza-based squad.
Speaking after his promotion to Red Bull Racing, Mekies said: “The last year and a half has been an absolute privilege to lead the team with Peter. It has been an amazing adventure to contribute to the birth of Racing Bulls together with all our talented people. The spirit of the whole team is incredible, and I strongly believe that this is just the beginning.” He also expressed confidence in Alan Permane’s ability to continue the work at Racing Bulls, calling him “the perfect man to take over now and continue our path.”
The decision to sack Christian Horner, a figure synonymous with Red Bull Racing since its inception in 2005, sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community. Horner, who guided the team to six Constructors’ Championships and multiple Drivers’ titles — including the ongoing dominant era with Max Verstappen — has been under intense scrutiny in recent months due to internal investigations and growing friction behind the scenes. Despite surviving earlier pressure, the board has now decided to take decisive action and move in a different direction.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s star driver and the face of their recent dominance, responded to the leadership change with a carefully worded 26-word statement that some interpreted as diplomatic but emotionally distant. While Verstappen remains contracted until the end of 2028, ongoing rumours suggest Mercedes and other top teams are closely monitoring the situation, especially with Red Bull’s stability now under question.
Red Bull’s decision to promote from within — rather than looking externally — suggests an attempt to maintain technical and strategic continuity. Mekies is known for his calm demeanour, deep technical knowledge, and a holistic understanding of team dynamics. His promotion may help Red Bull avoid internal power struggles while also maintaining its competitive edge on the track.
Meanwhile, Alan Permane, another respected paddock veteran with over three decades of F1 experience — most notably at Renault and Alpine — steps into the Racing Bulls leadership role. Permane’s extensive knowledge of race strategy, team management, and driver development will be critical as the junior team continues to find its footing in a crowded midfield.
This leadership overhaul marks one of the most significant shake-ups in recent F1 history. As the 2025 season enters its second half, all eyes will be on Red Bull to see whether this strategic gamble helps stabilize their dominance or triggers a ripple effect that challenges the team’s legacy.
What is clear is that Laurent Mekies inherits a powerful machine — but one with many moving parts and heightened expectations. With a storied past behind him and Red Bull’s future now in his hands, Mekies will have little room for error as the team fights to remain at the top of the Formula 1 hierarchy.
