The second half of the 2025 F1 season brings a significant reshuffle at Red Bull Racing, as Laurent Mekies replaces Christian Horner as Team Principal. Speaking to written media ahead of the 2025 F1 Belgian GP, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda shared their views on Horner’s sudden and dramatic departure—following more than two decades at the helm—and Mekies’ appointment as his successor.
Horner left the team in the aftermath of the 2025 British GP, following a prolonged period of internal tension and scrutiny within the Red Bull organisation. Although speculation regarding instability had circulated since the start of the 2024 season, few expected such a decisive change to occur mid-season. Meanwhile, Mekies, previously in charge of Racing Bulls, now steps into the leading role at Red Bull Racing. Alan Permane takes over Mekies’ former position at Racing Bulls.
Horner’s exit a decision by management
Having spent over a decade within the Red Bull programme—progressing from Toro Rosso to Red Bull Racing—reigning world champion Max Verstappen has established himself as a central figure in the team. However, despite ongoing speculation regarding his future and its potential link to Christian Horner’s position, Verstappen made it clear that the decision to replace Horner as Red Bull Team Principal was not his to influence. He explained that the responsibility rested with the shareholders, who exercised their authority to reshape the organisation as they saw fit.
“I do not know. I mean, at the end of the day, management and, of course, the shareholders decided that they wanted a change and at the end of the day, they run the team and I am the driver so whatever they decide, it is fully in their right to do what they want and that is basically, you know how it happened.”
Reflecting on Horner’s legacy and the direction of the team, Verstappen acknowledged the highs and lows of the past two decades and emphasised the need to look ahead.
“And at the same time now, sitting there, you look back at those 20 years of Red Bull. I think we have had a lot of great years, great results. Now naturally, of course, there are also years where it is not going that well. I think the last one and a half years have not gone how we would have liked. Management decided they wanted to steer the ship in a different direction, probably. Everyone else has to agree to that and look forward. And I am looking forward.”
Verstappen excited to move forward but maintains good relationship with Horner
While he remains appreciative of the past—especially the successful working relationship he had with Horner—Verstappen is firmly looking ahead and focused on what lies next for Red Bull Racing. He revealed that he has already held several meetings with new Team Principal Laurent Mekies, and while he recognises the challenges ahead, he expressed optimism about Red Bull’s direction as the team continues its battle against a dominant McLaren outfit and prepares for the 2026 regulation changes.
“Of course, I had already quite a few meetings with Laurent as well. The last two weeks have been quite intense for him to jump in. I am equally also excited for the team moving forward because that is what we have to do. Looking back does not make sense. It is not going to make you faster. But at the same time, we do appreciate those 20 years and especially from my side, the 10–11 years that I have been part of Red Bull. Those things will always be remembered and the relationship between myself and Christian, for example, that does not change. Of course, he is not here now during a race again, but it is still like a second family to me.”
Verstappen unfazed by Horner’s dismissal
When asked about when he first learned of Red Bull’s decision to dismiss Christian Horner as Team Principal, Verstappen replied, “I do not know, half a day before, maybe.”
He explained that, owing to his good relationship with the team’s shareholders, they informed him of their decision prior to making it public. As a result, the release of the announcement did not surprise him.
“The shareholders told me. I have a good relationship with them,” he said, continuing, “I think it is quite normal that they inform some people in the team before it goes out. I think it is a standard practice.”
Despite the significance of the news, Verstappen described his reaction as relatively calm. He clarified that, following conversations with the relevant parties, he accepted the decision made by those in charge and promptly refocused on his responsibilities as a driver.
“Surprised? I mean, at the end of the day, I think in this world, things like that can happen. When they told me, I was like, ‘okay, well if that is…’. It is not like they just said, ‘this is what we just decided’ and then they hung up the phone. You have a conversation about it. Now I do not need to go into detail what they said, but it is okay if you guys think that is the way forward. I am the driver, you decide, and this is how we are going to do it.”
A smooth transition as focus remains on performance
Verstappen concluded by describing the current atmosphere within the team following the leadership shake-up. While he acknowledged that the initial reaction involved some uncertainty, he believes the team quickly refocused on the priority of optimising performance.
“I think it has been good. Of course, when there is a change like that on the first day, maybe people are a bit like, ‘okay, what is happening?’ Luckily, also on the day after the announcement, I was at the factory doing my simulator stuff. You just go back to work. We have to work on performance, setting up the car here and making sure that everything is correlated in the best way possible. You just focus on that because at the end of the day, that is my job. That is the engineer’s job as well. It is about trying to find as much performance as possible. That is what we are there for.”
Tsunoda reflects on transitions within the Red Bull structure
While Max Verstappen operates at the heart of Red Bull Racing, Yuki Tsunoda brings a unique perspective, having only recently joined the senior team from Racing Bulls following Liam Lawson’s demotion after the Chinese GP. Despite being relatively new to the main squad, Tsunoda has long-standing ties within the Red Bull structure and offered his reflections on Christian Horner’s departure and Laurent Mekies’ promotion.
The Japanese driver expressed his appreciation for the support Horner had given him during his rise through the ranks. He revealed that Horner even sent him an encouraging message ahead of the recent race weekend, despite no longer holding an official position.
“Yeah, I do not think I have much to say. You know, I appreciate how Christian supported me in previous races. And yeah, also, I got a message from him actually yesterday that, you know, ‘show what you can do’, and yeah, it was a nice message. And with Laurent, yeah, I have known him since VCARB, and we work really, really well. We had a good start of the year in terms of performance, and you know, we had a lot of tracks between us, so yeah, looking forward to working with him. And yeah, Alan, I just met him in Copenhagen as well, and I sent him support as well. He has been motivated, and I am excited to see how he will do in the next race.”
“A different journey” at Red Bull
Tsunoda’s familiarity with Laurent Mekies—developed during their time working together at Racing Bulls (formerly VCARB and AlphaTauri)—places him in a strong position to assess the leadership qualities Mekies may bring to Red Bull Racing. While Verstappen is the established lead driver at the senior team, Tsunoda—newly promoted to Red Bull Racing—brings a valuable dual perspective shaped by his progression through the organisation’s development pathway and his fresh insight into its top-level operations.
The Japanese driver praised their existing working relationship and emphasised that it gives him confidence during this transitional period. At the same time, he acknowledged that Mekies had only just begun his tenure and has yet to leave a definitive imprint on the team.
“So far? I mean, you know, he is just joined this year’s middle of the race, middle of the season, and just had two weeks, so I do not think he has really yet changed anything. I think he is still pretty dynamic, so we will see in the next few races and see what he can do. Yeah, at least we know that we have a good relationship. I can chat, and you know, I will not have to really adapt to the relationship, which is good. Yeah, I just came into the paddock [for the] weekend, and had a normal conversation, so, it feels like back to VCARB, but it is not, you know, it is a different journey.”
A surprising end to an era
Tsunoda did not anticipate the decision to remove Christian Horner, who had led Red Bull Racing as Team Principal since the team’s inception. Like many within the paddock, he acknowledged the sheer scale of the change, noting Horner’s central role in building and sustaining Red Bull’s F1 operations over more than two decades.
“I definitely did not expect that. It was surprisingly for me. But, yeah, I think in terms of Laurent, I mean, such a big, big thing, big, big, big changes, right, because last 21 years, you know, or 20 years, I do not know, since Red Bull started with Christian, you know, he is always worked with Christian, and I think it is a big change for the team.”
While Horner’s departure marks the end of a defining chapter in Red Bull’s history, Tsunoda remains optimistic about the direction the team could take under Mekies’ leadership.
Confidence in Mekies’ contribution
Although Tsunoda only recently joined Red Bull Racing, he has closely followed the changes in leadership. He believes Mekies is well-positioned to add value to the team. He suggested that the new Team Principal’s experience at Ferrari and Racing Bulls, along with his fresh perspective, may help Red Bull innovate during a critical period for performance and development—especially ahead of the 2026 regulation changes.
“So, to be honest, I am still understanding the full story about Red Bull Racing, it is not like I have been here for long years and I know about Red Bull Racing and everything, so I do not think I can say everything, but I am sure he can bring something that he found at VCARB, and he brought some of his positives that he has done in the last two years to Red Bull.”
Although Tsunoda admitted Mekies has yet to make his full impact, he emphasised the value of a fresh perspective, especially when paired with the extensive experience already present within the team.
“But it is good that something, maybe, I do not know, the third perspective that he came in, I was really impressed when he came in, and it is a new perspective he handles, and, let us see how he is going to approach it into the stage. But I think, also at the same time, we have a lot of good people already, they know what they are doing. So also I have lots of trust also in them as well, so I think, Laurent is not also this much looked at, I do not know. But let us see, I think you will just see the next few races and let us see how he brings something.”
Focused on driving, not politics
Unlike Verstappen, who heard about Horner’s departure from Red Bull shareholders, Tsunoda said that Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko informed him of the leadership change on the day of the announcement. However, like Verstappen, Tsunoda made it clear that while he remains aware of major team decisions, his role is to focus on driving—not management or internal politics.
“I got information from Helmut on that day, and yeah, pretty much I can say all of that. In the end, I am just focused on driving, so it is not a part that I have to be involved, but I just still do things that I am focused on.”
A new era begins
The departure of Christian Horner marks a historic turning point not just for Red Bull Racing, but also for the broader F1 community. With Laurent Mekies now leading Red Bull Racing and Alan Permane heading up Racing Bulls, the next few races—beginning with the 2025 Belgian GP—will offer the first glimpse into what this new era might bring.
