Red Bull extends Laurent Mekies’ contract until 2031
Red Bull has extended Laurent Mekies' contract as team principal through 2031 following his promotion to replace Christian Horner. The team also saw Max Verstappen secure wins in Malaysia and Singapore as they attempt to close the gap on McLaren in the championship standings.
Leadership transition
Red Bull extended Laurent Mekies’ contract as team principal until the end of 2031. Mekies was promoted from his position as Racing Bulls team boss in July 2025 to replace Christian Horner following the Briton’s summer sacking after 20 years in charge. He previously led the Racing Bulls squad after six years at Ferrari, where he served as sporting director and then racing director. Thai Chalerm Yoovidhya and Mark Mateschitz, the main shareholders, said Mekies played a "crucial role in guiding the team through an important period of transition while maintaining the competitive spirit and the Red Bull principles that define us." Oliver Mintzlaff, the chief executive officer of corporate projects and investments, said Mekies "combines technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of what makes our team successful." He also said that "continuity in leadership is a key ingredient for sustained success." I think the decision to lock in Mekies for another six seasons makes sense.
Verstappen resurgence
The team responded to a slow start during the 2026 regulation change by fitting continuous car upgrades, which led to a late resurgence. Max Verstappen won the last two Grands Prix in Malaysia and Singapore from pole position, which put the team only seven points behind third-placed McLaren with only six rounds left in the season. These wins followed an interview with the Times where Christian Horner claimed the team had "lost its mojo, its presence, its vibe." You should note that Verstappen signed a new deal in August through to the end of 2030 to end speculation about his future after his original deal was set to expire in 2028. Verstappen trailed Oscar Piastri by 104 points after the Dutch Grand Prix but eventually lost the title to Lando Norris by two points. Do the technical upgrades provide enough of a gap to overtake McLaren?
Future technical direction
Mekies intends to work with the technical teams led by Pierre Wache and Ben Hodgkinson to shape the future. The 2027 driver lineup will see the Dutchman partner with sophomore Isack Hadjar, who the team confirmed last month. Mekies said, "Together, with Pierre Wache’s and Ben Hodgkinson’s teams playing a central role in shaping our future, we have a strong platform for the years ahead." He also said he feels "privileged to work alongside such a talented and committed group every day." I find it hard to believe the team can maintain this momentum without more driver stability.
