Steiner: Red Bull 'Calmer' with Mekies, But No Credit for Wins

Red Bull Racing appears to have found a new sense of calm under the leadership of Laurent Mekies, according to former team principal Guenther Steiner. While Steiner acknowledges a more harmonious environment, he attributes the team's recent on-track success to other factors, not Mekies' immediate impact on performance.

Why it matters:

Red Bull has been a dominant force in Formula 1, but internal strife and leadership questions had occasionally clouded their consistent performance. A stable and focused team environment is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge, especially against rivals constantly pushing to close the gap. Steiner's comments offer an insider's perspective on how leadership changes can affect team dynamics, even if not directly translating into immediate race results.

The details:

• Calmer Atmosphere: Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast channel, Guenther Steiner stated that Red Bull Racing is "better off" with Laurent Mekies at the helm. He observed a notable shift from constant "new stories" about internal disagreements to a perception of the team "working in harmony."
• Leadership Style: Steiner described Mekies as a "good leader" who is "very calm" and doesn't get "involved in politics and stuff like this." This contrasts with previous periods where Steiner noted "friction in the team between different parties."
• No Credit for Wins: Despite the improved atmosphere, Steiner explicitly stated he wouldn't credit Mekies for Max Verstappen's recent back-to-back Grand Prix victories at Monza and Baku. He emphasized, "I would give him credit for calming everything down inside the team," rather than direct performance gains.
• Horner's Departure: Mekies officially replaced Christian Horner ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. Alan Permane was promoted to Mekies' former role at Racing Bulls.
• Financial Settlement: Following his departure, Horner formally left Red Bull. Reports suggesting an £80 million payout were deemed inaccurate by GPblog; the actual figure for his two-decade tenure was around £52 million.

The big picture:

Red Bull's internal dynamics have been a subject of speculation, particularly regarding the long-standing leadership. The transition to Mekies signals a new chapter, potentially prioritizing stability and focused management. While the technical and operational foundations built over years are the primary drivers of on-track performance, a harmonious team environment is essential for sustained excellence and preventing distractions that could erode competitive advantages. The team's continued success post-transition suggests a robust underlying structure capable of weathering leadership changes.

What's next:

The true long-term impact of Mekies' leadership will unfold over the coming seasons. While immediate race results are often a product of existing car development and driver talent, a calm and cohesive team environment fostered by new leadership can pave the way for more efficient operations, better decision-making, and a stronger foundation for future car development. The focus will be on whether this newfound harmony can translate into continued championship dominance and how the team navigates future challenges without the previous internal frictions.