Laurent Mekies has extended his contract as team principal of the Red Bull Formula 1 outfit with a new deal running through the end of 2031. The Frenchman will therefore spend at least six seasons leading the Austrian team, having joined in July 2025 to succeed Christian Horner, whose 20-year tenure as Red Bull team boss ended then. Mekies joined from sister squad Racing Bulls, which the 49-year-old took over at the start of the 2024 campaign after six years at Ferrari, first as sporting director and later as racing director.
"I am incredibly proud to continue this journey with Oracle Red Bull Racing," said Mekies. "What makes this team special is the way everyone comes together in pursuit of the same goal." He credited Pierre Wache and Ben Hodgkinson's teams with playing a central role in shaping the future, adding, "We genuinely believe this is only the beginning."
The news comes at a good time for Red Bull, which has responded to a slow start to the 2026 regulation change with continuous car upgrades, leading to a late resurgence. World champion Max Verstappen has won the last two grands prix, Malaysia and Singapore, both from pole. Red Bull is now only seven points off third-placed McLaren with six rounds left. Verstappen recently signed a new deal through to the end of 2030, and in 2027 he will partner Isack Hadjar.
Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO, praised Mekies' "outstanding leadership" and his combination of technical expertise and strategic thinking. "Continuity in leadership is a key ingredient for sustained success," he said.
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing