Laurent Mekies has agreed a new year five-year deal with Red Bull Racing to continue as their F1 CEO and Team Principal through to 2031.
The French engineer joined in July of 2025 after the sacking of Christian Horner. He had been at Racing Bulls.
Following his appointment, Red Bull and Max Verstappen went on an extraordinary title charge at the end of that campaign. An upgrade at Monza made the car much more competitive on a consistent basis, with the Dutchman taking six Grand Prix wins in the last nine rounds. He fell just short of overhauling Lando Norris to take a fifth crown.
2026 marked a brand new era of Formula 1 and the team. For the first time in their 21-year history, they designed and ran their own engines. The DM01 has proven to be a very strong PU, only behind Mercedes in the pecking order. It was the car that mostly let them down through the first half of the year.
However, a lot of hard work and upgrades got them back to the front, with Max Verstappen winning in Malaysia and Singapore. Both Red Bull drivers were on the podium in Baku.
Critically for the French engineer turned Team Principal, the four-time World Champion agreed an extension earlier this year, proving his project and leadership is successful to the sport’s benchmark driver at present.
Chalerm Yoovidhya and Mark Mateschitz, Red Bull shareholders, said:
“The strength of Red Bull has always come from its people and from creating an environment where talented individuals can achieve extraordinary things together. 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. This extension reflects our confidence in his leadership and our shared belief in the long-term vision of the Team. We are ambitious about what lies ahead and we are committed to building on this momentum together.”
Oliver Mintzlaff, said:
“Laurent has demonstrated outstanding leadership since returning to the Red Bull family. He combines technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of what makes our Team successful. Just as importantly, he embodies the values and mentality that define the Red Bull way: courage, teamwork, determination, and an unrelenting desire to compete at the highest level. Continuity in leadership is a key ingredient for sustained success, and we are delighted that Laurent will continue to lead the Team through the next chapter of our journey.”
Laurent Mekies, CEO and F1 Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing on extending his contract to 2031:
“I am incredibly proud to continue this journey with Oracle Red Bull Racing, and I would like to thank Chalerm, Mark, and Oliver, the entire Team, and everyone involved for the trust they have placed in the project. What makes this Team special is the way everyone comes together in pursuit of the same goal, and I feel privileged to work alongside such a talented and committed group every day. 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, and we genuinely believe this is only the beginning. As we look ahead, we will continue to embrace the principles that define us: being free in our thinking, fast in our actions and bold in our decisions.”
