Laurent Mekies Faces Pressure at Red Bull After Horner's Exit
Laurent Mekies has stepped into the demanding roles of team principal and CEO at Red Bull Racing, following Christian Horner's removal from his various leadership positions. This significant shift comes amidst internal unrest and performance concerns at the team.
Steiner's Perspective: Red Bull Needed Reorganization
Former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner emphasizes that Red Bull's reorganization was necessary due to long-standing internal issues and Max Verstappen's discontent. He highlights the challenge facing Mekies.
- "The unrest within the team was nothing new. It had been building up for over a year and a half," Steiner stated, suggesting the decision was made to "restore calm."
- He added, "The team’s performance is no longer what it used to be, Max Verstappen is unhappy, and of course, you want to keep him happy." This led Red Bull to seek a reorganization.
The Road Ahead: A Steep Climb for Mekies
Mekies, new to a team principal role at this level, faces a steep climb. Red Bull's current performance decline and the daunting task of building their own power unit with Ford for 2026 add to the complexity.
- Key Challenges:
- Rebuilding team competitiveness after "good people have left and spread out to other teams."
- Attracting new top talent.
- Overseeing the massive Ford power unit project for 2026, which Steiner called "a huge project."
Steiner's Caution: Mekies is 'Not a Magician'
Steiner urges patience, stating, "I just hope they don’t put too much pressure on Laurent Mekies. He’s not a magician, after all. It can take years [to rebuild]." He predicts Red Bull will be among the front-runners in 2026 but "not quite at the very front. They’ll still be some way behind the leaders."
Mekies' Confidence in the Team's Resilience
Despite the challenges, Mekies expresses confidence in his team, stating he isn't daunted. He acknowledges the high expectations of a top team but trusts in the talent and resilience within Red Bull Racing. "Resilience is important in this sport... and I’m sure it will be the fuel for the future success of the team," he said.