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Mekies is a French engineer who has more than 20 years of experience in Formula 1 and has previously worked with teams like Arrows, Minardi, Toro Rosso, and the FIA.
Laurent Mekies on Wednesday has been appointed as the new CEO and team principal of Red Bull. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Laurent Philippe Mekies is a French engineer, who on Wednesday (July 9) was appointed was the new team principal and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Red Bull Racing team in Formula One. He was promoted for the top job following the sacking of Christian Horner with immediate effect.
Mekies has more than 20 years of experience in Formula 1 and has previously worked with teams like Arrows, Minardi, Toro Rosso, and the FIA. In 2021 he became the racing director at Ferrari and since 2024, he was the team principal of Racing Bulls, previously known as VCARB, AlphaTauri, and Toro Rosso.
Horner sacked
Red Bull did not give a reason for the decision in a statement on Wednesday, but thanked Horner for his work and said he will “forever remain an important part of our team history.”
Horner had been Red Bull team principal since it entered F1 as a full constructor in 2005. He had performed his team and media duties as normal throughout the British Grand Prix last week.
Horner oversaw eight F1 drivers’ titles — four for Sebastian Vettel and four for Max Verstappen — and six constructors’ titles during his time with the team.
But McLaren has dominated this season in F1, while Red Bull’s performance has dipped, though Verstappen remains third in the standings and the team is fourth.
Horner spent much of last week fielding questions over Verstappen’s future at the team after the Dutch driver declined to commit to stay with Red Bull for 2026.
“We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years,” Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s chief executive for corporate projects and investments said in a statement.
“With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1. Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”
The announcement comes more than a year after Horner was accused of misconduct toward a team employee.
An investigation conducted on behalf of the Red Bull company dismissed the allegation, as did a further investigation conducted after the employee appealed against the initial ruling, Red Bull said at the time.
Horner remained in charge of the F1 team throughout the entire process.
(With inputs from AP)
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