Sainz thinks Laurent Mekies is the "perfect fit" for Red Bull

Having worked together with Laurent Mekies when the Frenchman acted as sporting director at Ferrari, the now Williams driver Carlos Sainz is sure that the Frenchman is the "perfect fit" for the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

Just two days after last Sunday's British Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing announced that Christian Horner will leave the team with immediate effect.

The Briton has been at the helm for almost the entire team's history in F1 but his exit follows a couple of troublesome years of internal struggles since Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz passed away.

Horner has been in charge of Red Bull since the team entered the sport in 2025, serving as team principal for two decades. During that time, the 51-year-old Briton has led Red Bull to six constructors' and eight drivers' world championship titles.

Williams driver Carlos Sainz worked together with Mekies when the Frenchman acted as sporting director at the Italian outfit. Asked to reveal what Mekies might achieve as team boss at Red Bull, the Spaniard praised the 48-year-old.

"He's, I think, an extremely good professional. My time in Ferrari when he was there, I found someone that was incredibly hardworking. He understood very well the driver.

"He had a special feeling and a special communication with drivers, which I think makes things for the driver very comfortable and very open," Sainz continued.

"Since his time in the FIA, then Ferrari, now Visa [Cash App RB], and now coming in Red Bull—he has plenty of experience to lead one of the biggest teams in Formula 1.

"I think he's honestly the perfect fit for that team. So, congrats to him—probably he deserves that upgrade or that step up. I think he's going to enjoy it."