Laurent Mekies’ Daring Leap: From Racing Bulls to Red Bull Racing Mid-Season!
In an electrifying twist that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 world, Laurent Mekies has unveiled the gripping saga behind his mid-season transition from Racing Bulls to the helm of Red Bull Racing in the 2025 season. What started as a routine campaign quickly transformed into a high-stakes drama following the shocking dismissal of Christian Horner after the British Grand Prix.
At the beginning of the season, Mekies was entrenched in the operations at Racing Bulls, where he navigated the challenging dynamics of the team. Under his guidance, Liam Lawson faced a tough demotion back to the junior squad after just two races, while Yuki Tsunoda ascended to the prestigious Red Bull seat. The VCARB 02 car, a formidable force in the early stages of the season, demonstrated its competitiveness, often flirting with the performance levels of its parent team.
However, the narrative took a dramatic turn when Horner’s exit opened the door for Mekies to take the reins as Team Principal and CEO at Red Bull. The transition was anything but smooth, yet Mekies managed to orchestrate a stunning revival that saw Max Verstappen narrowly miss out on the Drivers’ Championship by a mere two points to McLaren’s Lando Norris—a heart-stopping conclusion that left fans on the edge of their seats!
Despite this remarkable turnaround, Mekies has been quick to downplay his influence, attributing the team’s resurgence to the unwavering support of his new colleagues. “I think you really have to make a conscious effort not to refer back to Racing Bulls because of how different the projects were,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of embracing the unique culture at Red Bull. “After that, there has been a huge amount of support from the team to help me get into it. They’ve been extremely welcoming, extremely open-minded, and extremely willing to share their approaches.”
Taking on the mantle at Red Bull Racing required Mekies to completely reevaluate his strategy. “What was working, what was not working, but, in terms of jumping in, there needed to be a complete reset,” he admitted. Comparing the pressures of leading a championship-contending organization to his previous stint at Ferrari, he noted, “Perhaps, in some respect, there are more similarities with the Ferrari era in terms of the size of the team, the pressure of fighting at the front, and the chassis plus engine.”
Mekies’ candid reflections reveal the intricate web of pressures inherent in steering a title-challenging team. Yet, he remains adamant that he played no pivotal role in the turnaround. “I still mean it! I think it’s an outstanding group that never gives up,” he asserted. “All we have done together is concentrate on pure racing, and that’s it.”
He further elaborated on the team’s unwavering focus, stating, “I guess the job is to protect the group in such a way that they can concentrate on what they are so good at, which is having the technical discussions as the difficult ones.” Mekies praised the team’s spirit, acknowledging the challenges but celebrating the collective drive to enhance car performance. “The fire inside is not a fire to go against the teammates. It’s a fire to get that car faster.”
As Red Bull Racing gears up for another season, all eyes will be on Laurent Mekies and his ability to maintain the momentum of this spectacular turnaround. With the stakes higher than ever, will he be able to navigate the turbulent waters of Formula 1 and steer the team towards ultimate glory? One thing is certain: the world will be watching!









