Martin Brundle Backs Laurent Mekies as New Red Bull Team Principal, Citing Technical Background

Martin Brundle, a former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports analyst, has voiced strong support for Laurent Mekies in his new role as CEO and team principal of Red Bull Racing. Mekies stepped into the role immediately on July 9, succeeding Christian Horner.

Why it matters

Brundle argues that Mekies' extensive technical background is crucial, drawing parallels to the successes of Andrea Stella at McLaren and James Vowles at Williams. This trend highlights a growing preference for technically proficient leaders at the helm of F1 teams.

The big picture

Mekies' career path is a testament to his diverse experience within F1. He started at Arrows, moved to Minardi (which became Toro Rosso and later Racing Bulls), served as safety director and deputy race director at the FIA, and then joined Ferrari as sporting director before becoming deputy team principal. His return to the Red Bull family, initially with Racing Bulls, before ascending to lead the senior team, showcases a deep understanding of both technical and operational aspects of the sport.

The details

Brundle explicitly stated, "We are seeing people like this more and more now becoming a team boss. Look at the incredible job Andrea Stella is doing at McLaren, James Vowles at Williams - people with a technical background are in the driving seat of that aspect." He also noted Jonathan Wheatley's move to Sauber (soon to be Audi) and Alan Permane taking over Mekies' previous role at Racing Bulls, underscoring the ripple effect of this top-tier leadership change.

What's next

On his first day, Mekies expressed his focus on empowering the team's talent. "The focus will really be making sure that all the talented people here have what they need to perform at their best," he stated. He also acknowledged the immense challenge of the 2026 regulation changes, particularly for Red Bull as they develop their own power unit. Mekies emphasized a unified team approach to tackle these future hurdles.