Laurent Mekies has revealed details about the unexpected phone call that appointed him as the replacement for former Red Bull F1 team principal and CEO Christian Horner.
Speaking ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, Mekies shared how the call was “difficult to digest” and discussed the emotional challenges that came with such a drastic decision.
Horner was let go from the reigning Constructors’ Champions earlier this month after a 20-year-long stint that started at the team’s inception. It was announced that the then Racing Bulls team principal Mekies would take his spot, with RB racing director Alan Permane replacing him in turn.
This all comes amid a period of struggling performances for Red Bull, which has only managed to clinch victory at two races so far this season. Switches to the driver lineup, uncertainty over Red Bull star Max Verstappen’s future and a lack of winning results seemed to point to one big change in leadership.
Mekies boasts more than 20 years of experience in Formula 1, having previously worked at Toro Rosso, Ferrari and the FIA.
Mekies: “I hung up the phone” when Red Bull call came
When asked how the leadership switch came about, Mekies admitted that the offer came just as abruptly to him as it did to the general public.
“Well, it was not very different for me than it was for you, really, guys,” he said, speaking at a press conference ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. “I got a call a few hours before you guys were made aware. I got a call from Oliver [Mintzlaff] and Helmut [Marko], and they asked me if I would be interested to do the job.
“Obviously, it came out of the blue at that moment for me. I was actually in the UK at Racing Bulls and it came in a completely unexpected way. I actually asked them to think about it for a few hours and hung up the phone.
“It’s difficult to digest. But the first thing that comes into your mind is, ‘Wait a second. It’s Red Bull. They are calling you. They ask you to step in to do that job, with everything that Red Bull means – its energy, its spirit, how they go about their racing teams’ and that’s how you pick up the phone and you say, ‘Of course, it’s an honour. It’s a privilege.’”
Expanding on his decision to accept the role, Mekies highlighted the spirited environment of a team that has six F1 constructors’ championships and the pure emotion that comes with a proposition like that.
“All I’ve been seeing in these two weeks is extraordinary talent, incredible racing spirit,” he said. “These guys go on the edge on every single aspect. There is not a single department where you see a bit of a feeling of laying back or resting. They really are at war, in the good sense of the word, in every single aspect.”
Mekies on Red Bull’s warm welcome and future plans for the team
Asked about his impressions on Red Bull’s struggling start to the season, Mekies asserted that despite tough conditions, the team remains focused on success – and this is energy he aims to keep moving forward.
“What we are going to try to do is make sure that all these women and men have everything they need to express themselves at their best, that they are supported, that they have all the means they need to show their talent,” he said.
“They have been showing season after season that they are the best in the world or, if they are not, they are very close. To your point, you do not see weaknesses. You see a lot of desire from everyone to get that Red Bull energy, perhaps to reduce the noise outside, just to concentrate on racing. That’s what you see, and that’s what we are going to try to do together.”
Mekies describes his welcome to the team as nothing but warm. However, there’s no denying that employees at Red Bull Racing would have been shaken up by the gravity of the decision to replace a team principal that had been part of the furniture since its inception.
“For sure, the first 24 hours were a big adjustment because nobody was expecting it,” he said of the decision. “The first few hours after the announcement were a surprise for everyone and certainly a digesting phase for everyone.
“What can I say after that? I’ve only been finding a huge amount of support from everyone. They just want to go racing. They are hugely respectful, and we all are, of the achievements that have been made under Christian [Horner]’s leadership.
“Could I be hoping for more support, openness from the people I’ve been meeting these last two weeks? No. Everybody has been incredibly supportive, willing to open the door, willing to speak, to listen, to explain their limitations and strengths, how we go next about going back to the racetrack and fighting at an even higher level tomorrow. That’s what I’ve found.”
Mekies: Horner has been “nothing but supportive” after Mekies replaced him
Mekies also opened up about his relationship with Horner following the announcement.
“First thought obviously goes in this moment as well to Christian because it’s not something I could have expected,” he said. “And he had been nothing else than extremely supportive with me these last two years.
“It’s not a secret that he’s the one with [Mintzlaff] and Helmut [Marko] that brought me back to the Red Bull family a couple of years ago. So that’s the sort of mix of emotions you get at that moment. But as I said, the dominant one is: it’s Red Bull calling. I guess it’s a matter of loyalty to go towards the brand and you just say, “Of course, if you think you need me there, I will go there.”
He went on to say that he and Horner have been in contact since the decision, adding that he does not believe he’ll be able to lead the team in the same way that Horner had done for two decades.
“At first, yes, we have spoken. He has been nothing else than supportive even in the extremely difficult context for him,” he said. “He was the first one to text, he was the first one to call. I think, again this morning or yesterday we texted again.
“He has been nothing else than supportive, which is very impressive in the context. Nobody is going to replace his character. Nobody is going to replace him like for like. I come in to do the CEO and team principal job.
“Is there any way one can do it in the same way as Christian? No. Or at least, certainly not me.
“But we’ll be relying on the incredible strengths that there are in this team. Everybody is stepping up. It’s certainly an opportunity to look for even more empowerment of our people.”
Mekies: Verstappen will stay at Red Bull with the fastest car
One of the most pertinent issues leading up to Horner’s dismissal was the future of Red Bull star Max Verstappen at the team.
Rumours had been flying that Verstappen might make the move to rival Mercedes in 2026, with team principal Toto Wolff having expressed interest in signing the four-time world champion.
More rumours suggested that the environment at Red Bull was nothing short of contentious, and that internal issues between Max Verstappen and the team’s management might cause him to jump ship.
When asked about what he will do to ensure Verstappen stays with Red Bull for the foreseeable future, Mekies didn’t seem worried about the team’s prospects.
“In terms of priority, I’m sure what Max wants is a fast car,” he said. “If we get him a fast car, it cancels out all the other considerations.
“So really, the focus is very much, as we said earlier, to get to know the team as quickly as possible in order to see how we can support, how we can build the next step of competitiveness in order to get a fast car and hence make it an easy call for Max.”
Making and maintaining that fast car won’t be an easy feat, especially with the heightened competition of this season. McLaren has been dominant so far, with its two drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris currently leading Verstappen in the championship.
However, Mekies determined that racing will always be the priority for the team, despite the chaotic environment they have recently found themselves in.
“One thing that is very high in our priorities is to make sure that we have the right focus, that we avoid any bottlenecking in the company at all levels. It’s with that spirit that we look at what we need to do next.
“For sure, Formula 1 comes first. We have the chassis operation, the power unit operation. That’s what is going to be the main focus. It’s a racing team. People in the team love racing. That’s what they are here for. That’s going to be where the main focus is.”
