2025 Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team

[Wouter]

Long article on the BBC: https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/arti ... 379y22627o

Life after Horner - what Mekies will bring to Red Bull
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Mekies' arrival is a chance for a clean slate. He is a very different character from Horner.

An engineer with extensive experience of F1, he can engage with the technical team on an in-depth level.

In that way, he is a 'technical team principal', as McLaren Racing chief executive officer Zak Brown refers to Andrea Stella, who has been such a revelation since becoming McLaren team boss at the end of 2022.

As a character, Mekies seems so far to be softer, less prickly and less adversarial than Horner. While still a keen competitor, he might be expected to take a different approach to any disputes that arise externally.

The controversies surrounding Horner - the allegations; his volatile relationship with Verstappen's father Jos; questions about the driver's future; the drip-drip exodus of major figures - had led to something of a siege mentality at Red Bull.

Mekies' arrival is a chance for that to change, and for Red Bull to forge a new relationship, with their rivals, with the sport and with its audience.

It is all rather ironic considering Mekies was another Horner hire.

This article is nothing but a corporate puff piece. The same lame words after any corporate regime change.

The reality is , Mekies is an empty suit. And RBR is for all intents and purposes leaderless. Compared to what Horner was , Mekies is cosplaying as a team principal.

It is sad to see an organization nerf itself so badly. And sad to see how big of a failure Dietrichs succession planning was.

If Max wants to stay at Red Bull long term and push for success ,
he should have fired his dad , Marko and his agent and put his support behind the guy that built Red Bull Racing.
Deep down he might know this. But it is understandable why it just wasn't feasible for him.

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It seems you are an insider who knows Horner through and throug and Marko, Vermeulen and Jos are the bad guys.

Did you see what Max his reaction was when Horner was "fired"? Everybody wanted Horner out, even Yoovidhya who supported
him even when his PA filed a complain to him. But enough is enough. Horner did a very good job till he wanted to be totally in control of everything. That was the point Yoovidhya didn't backup him anymore. Horner wanted it all and this is what he deserves.

[Jdn1327]

Long article on the BBC: https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/arti ... 379y22627o

Life after Horner - what Mekies will bring to Red Bull
.

Mekies' arrival is a chance for a clean slate. He is a very different character from Horner.

An engineer with extensive experience of F1, he can engage with the technical team on an in-depth level.

In that way, he is a 'technical team principal', as McLaren Racing chief executive officer Zak Brown refers to Andrea Stella, who has been such a revelation since becoming McLaren team boss at the end of 2022.

As a character, Mekies seems so far to be softer, less prickly and less adversarial than Horner. While still a keen competitor, he might be expected to take a different approach to any disputes that arise externally.

The controversies surrounding Horner - the allegations; his volatile relationship with Verstappen's father Jos; questions about the driver's future; the drip-drip exodus of major figures - had led to something of a siege mentality at Red Bull.

Mekies' arrival is a chance for that to change, and for Red Bull to forge a new relationship, with their rivals, with the sport and with its audience.

I think someone in this thread mentioned it previously. Team principals can no longer be one trick ponies. They have to be technically minded as well. Unfortunately with Horner, because he didn't have any ownership in the team, unlike say Wolff, he was an easy lay off for Redbull. It is sad but I think Redbull are looking to the future...no room for sentiment anymore.

[Watto]

Long article on the BBC: https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/arti ... 379y22627o

Life after Horner - what Mekies will bring to Red Bull
.

It is all rather ironic considering Mekies was another Horner hire.

This article is nothing but a corporate puff piece. The same lame words after any corporate regime change.

The reality is , Mekies is an empty suit. And RBR is for all intents and purposes leaderless. Compared to what Horner was , Mekies is cosplaying as a team principal.

It is sad to see an organization nerf itself so badly. And sad to see how big of a failure Dietrichs succession planning was.

If Max wants to stay at Red Bull long term and push for success ,
he should have fired his dad , Marko and his agent and put his support behind the guy that built Red Bull Racing.
Deep down he might know this. But it is understandable why it just wasn't feasible for him.

.
It seems you are an insider who knows Horner through and throug and Marko, Vermeulen and Jos are the bad guys.

Did you see what Max his reaction was when Horner was "fired"? Everybody wanted Horner out, even Yoovidhya who supported
him even when his PA filed a complain to him. But enough is enough. Horner did a very good job till he wanted to be totally in control of everything. That was the point Yoovidhya didn't backup him anymore. Horner wanted it all and this is what he deserves.

To me fair you're guessing here just as much as he is here. Horner still seemed to have the support of a lot of rand and file workers, former employee Blake/'Brrrake' on twitter gave little insight into it. There is probably 4-5 employees of the near what 1500 employed by RBR that we know how they felt

Max, I think was influenced a lot by his dad in all of this while I do think Max wanted him out I am not so convinced if Jos wasn't in the picture things would be the same.

With these situations it's always pretty hard to judge anything based on public info as it's almost always a one sided leak. Seen a very similar story a few years ago where basically a media leaked character assassination some of it was warranted some of it wasn't (and the employer in this case wasn't against them it was higher powers) there has been a lawyer involved in it that had been pretty scaving of the whole process the truth in this one - as with I think Horner - is rarely as one sided as like to play, to his day his name and reputation is pretty much mud to most publicly, has support in other elements too. Both sides read into everything the way they want to.

[venkyhere]

I think this thread is fast morphing back into the 'sexting-gate' flood at the beginning of 2024.
What has happened has happened. Why are we wasting energy like an evening tabloid speculating 'why/how of whatever happened' over and over again ?
As such we have no insight into the internal HR events of a team. Why should it matter to us 'f1 fans' so much ? We can discuss the car, the drivers, the racing operation aspects etc.
Why dont we revert to 'normal' status where we discuss rear wings and car setup and laptimes and weather, before a race weekend ?

[langedweil]

I think this thread is fast morphing back into the 'sexting-gate' flood at the beginning of 2024.
What has happened has happened. Why are we wasting energy like an evening tabloid speculating 'why/how of whatever happened' over and over again ?
As such we have no insight into the internal HR events of a team. Why should it matter to us 'f1 fans' so much ? We can discuss the car, the drivers, the racing operation aspects etc.
Why dont we revert to 'normal' status where we discuss rear wings and car setup and laptimes and weather, before a race weekend ?

Wise words ...

[TeamKoolGreen]

Ah but but everyone wanted Horner gone


https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/chri ... ko-mekies/
In the intervening time, there has been talk of unease on the factory floor about the sudden and unexplained nature of the change - with some revealing a team address by Marko, in which it was suggested they all just work 10% harder, went down like a lead balloon.

Sources also indicate that some sponsors (many of whom only found out the Horner exit news through the media) are also not happy with how things have unfolded within a squad that Horner was at the heart of.

[WardenOfTheNorth]

Ah but but everyone wanted Horner gone


https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/chri ... ko-mekies/
In the intervening time, there has been talk of unease on the factory floor about the sudden and unexplained nature of the change - with some revealing a team address by Marko, in which it was suggested they all just work 10% harder, went down like a lead balloon.

Sources also indicate that some sponsors (many of whom only found out the Horner exit news through the media) are also not happy with how things have unfolded within a squad that Horner was at the heart of.

I hope they don't lose their energy drink sponsor lol

[Wouter]

apparently a new front wing at Spa

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[Sergej]

yeah they are not bringing upgrades for him

[Wouter]

After a long break Max arrived this morning in Belgium with Vermeulen, his wife Simone, Max his trainer Rupert,
Jos and his wife (and dog ) and his other 3 children. Victoria stayed at home. Video:

[vorticism]

Remember when this happened?

It's only a matter of time until red bull sells out to a major manufacturer with the current state of affairs and the lack of interest without a figure like mateschitz pushing for success

Might make 2023 seem all the more impressive. Dietrich passed away in 2022.

This team is a corpse

Although, if I had to guess, somewhere between 80-99% of RBR staff present in 2024 are still there in 2025. Of the thousand or so.

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/chri ... ko-mekies/
In the intervening time, there has been talk of unease on the factory floor about the sudden and unexplained nature of the change - with some revealing a team address by Marko, in which it was suggested they all just work 10% harder, went down like a lead balloon.

Surprisingly inept statement. The last of the old crew trying to hold it all together? It seems like the team staff has been getting the short end of the stick from the board. Horner, Newey, and others gone without explanation--it will give none of the RBR employees confidence. Marko as the last man standing, trying to offer consolation or encouragement...

[Bill]

apparently a new front wing at Spa

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what's the point of all these ,is not like they don't have the money .if you want to speed up development you need data of both cars.it always take time to find the right setup if they had both cars on same spec it will alleviate some of those problems

[Wouter]

apparently a new front wing at Spa

.

.
what's the point of all these ,is not like they don't have the money .if you want to speed up development you need data of both cars.it always take time to find the right setup if they had both cars on same spec it will alleviate some of those problems

.
It is a shame Yuki doesn't still get the new floor! Max has it for the 4th race now!
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Yuki Tsunoda: Auch in Spa nicht das gleiche Auto wie Max Verstappen
Yuki Tsunoda kämpft weiterhin damit, nicht das gleiche Material wie Max Verstappen zu haben: Ein neuer Unterboden wird in Spa-Francorchamps nicht kommen

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Yuki Tsunoda: Not the same car as Max Verstappen at Spa either
Yuki Tsunoda continues to struggle with not having the same equipment as Max Verstappen: A new underbody will not be used at Spa-Francorchamps
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As previously reported by GPblog.The latest adjustments focus primarily on the car’s bodywork. In addition, the Austrian team has brought a new front wing specifically for the Belgian Grand Prix.

What’s changed on the RB21 at Spa-Francorchamps

While the FIA’s official list of updates is still pending, the revised RB21 was already visible in the Spa pitlane on Thursday. The outer section of the front suspension has been modified to better direct airflow underneath the car.
Bodywork changes were also made to work in tandem with the updated suspension, improving airflow and overall aerodynamic efficiency.
After Silverstone, although not strictly an update, the low-downforce rear wing with a straight-edged profile has also made a return. It helped Verstappen secure pole position in the UK, but later proved to be a double-edged sword in wet conditions due to the lack of aerodynamic grip.

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But all this still not for Yuki!

[Wouter]

Mekies on the pressure of taking over Red Bull, the mission at hand and why they need Verstappen’s ‘magic’

New Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies exclusively sits down with F1 Correspondent & Presenter Lawrence Barretto to discuss his new job and the importance of retaining Max Verstappen.

Nice article and a 15 min video to get to know Mekies better.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... QqK1OOuJ8V

[Sergej]

as anticipated, many updates, including new front wing