Formula 1Christian Horner reflects on influence that may have shaped his Red Bull exit
The former Red Bull team principal says his influence may have been seen as excessive. He also describes changes in the team’s governance before his departure.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (free licence), cropped and styled by SportNestra — author and licence
Laurent Mekies has extended his contract as Red Bull team principal until the end of 2031. Having taken charge in July 2025, the Frenchman is set to lead the team for at least six seasons. His extension follows the end of Christian Horner’s 20-year tenure as Red Bull team boss, which concluded when Mekies arrived.
Aged 49, Mekies had previously taken over Racing Bulls at the start of the 2024 season, after six years at Ferrari, first as sporting director and then as racing director.
“I am incredibly proud to continue this journey with Oracle Red Bull Racing,” Mekies said. He praised the team’s unity and the talent of its members, adding that the teams led by Pierre Wache and Ben Hodgkinson would play a central part in shaping its future.
Mintzlaff highlighted Mekies’s leadership since his return to the Red Bull family. He also pointed to his technical expertise, strategic thinking and understanding of the team, as well as the values he associated with Red Bull: courage, teamwork and determination. “Continuity in leadership is a key ingredient for sustained success,” he said, adding that he was delighted Laurent would lead the team into the next chapter of its journey.
The extension comes as Red Bull has responded to a difficult start to the 2026 regulation change with regular car upgrades, followed by a resurgence. Max Verstappen won the last two grands prix, in Malaysia and Singapore, from pole position. Red Bull is now only seven points behind third-placed McLaren, with six rounds remaining.
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