Mekies Reflects on His First Year as Red Bull Team Principal: “An Amazing Group of Talents”

As Formula One arrived in Silverstone for the British Grand Prix, Laurent Mekies marks almost one year since taking over as Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, succeeding long‑serving boss Christian Horner.

It has been one of the most intense and transformative periods in the team’s modern history: a title fight few expected, the launch of Red Bull’s first-ever power unit, and a season of rapid development under the new regulations.

Speaking recently about his experiences, Mekies offered a candid reflection on his first 12 months at the helm—highlighting both the challenges and the standout moments that have defined his tenure so far.

When asked to pinpoint the biggest challenge of his first year, Mekies instead focused on what he considers the most remarkable aspect of leading Red Bull Racing: the people.

“Look, I think if I have to pinpoint one thing, it’s not a challenge, it’s the outstanding aspect of having been there for a year, has been the amazing people we have.”

He described the daily interactions across the organisation—both on the chassis side and within Red Bull Ford Powertrains—as a constant reminder of the depth of talent inside the Milton Keynes operation.

“Every day you get into deep conversations with our people, chassis side, PU side, and just the quality of the team is so high and goes so deep into the ranks that it’s probably the standout feeling for me after a year.”

While Mekies emphasised the positives, he acknowledged that the past 12 months have been anything but calm: “And challenges, we’ve got all sorts of challenges.”

Red Bull found itself unexpectedly fighting for the 2025 championship despite entering the season on the back foot. The title battle went down to the wire, with the team missing out by just two points.

“We have been in the incredible position to be in a title fight last year, at the point where nobody expected us to be able to be in the title fight, and then we didn’t have the time to digest the fact that we were missing these final two points.”

Almost immediately after that heartbreak, the team had to pivot to an even bigger task: delivering Red Bull’s first-ever Formula One power unit for the 2026 regulations.

“We had to start that other race to get our first PU with Red Bull Ford Powertrains over the line.”

The combination of a championship fight and a full-scale engine programme made the past year one of the most demanding periods in Red Bull’s history: “So, it’s been pretty much an intense 12 months.”

Despite the pressure, Mekies’ overwhelming sentiment is one of pride and gratitude: “But the dominating feeling is really what an amazing group of talents in Milton Keynes and what a privilege to be with them.”