Red Bull have extended the contract of team principal Laurent Mekies until the end of 2031. The Frenchman has led the team since he replaced Christian Horner following the Briton's sacking in the summer of 2025, after 20 years in charge.
After a difficult start to the 2026 season, Red Bull have improved their car to the extent that Max Verstappen has taken dominant victories in the last two races, in Malaysia and Singapore. The move comes less than two months after Verstappen extended his own contract with Red Bull by two years to the end of 2030, after a period of uncertainty over his future. Verstappen's two victories came in the wake of an interview Horner gave to the Times, in which he claimed Red Bull had "lost its mojo, its presence, its vibe".
A statement attributed to the two main shareholders of Red Bull, Thai Chalerm Yoovidhya and Austrian Mark Mateschitz, said: "Laurent has 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." The statement added: "This extension reflects our confidence in his leadership and our shared belief in the long-term vision of the team."
Oliver Mintzlaff, who is in charge of the Red Bull F1 programme as chief executive officer of corporate projects and investments, said Mekies had demonstrated outstanding leadership since returning to the Red Bull family. "Continuity in leadership is a key ingredient for sustained success," he said. Mekies said he was "incredibly proud to continue this journey with Red Bull Racing."
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing