car news formula 1 Motorsport

From young team boss to F1 dynasty

When Horner was appointed team boss of the newly formed Red Bull Racing in 2005 at the age of 31, he was seen as an outsider with no Formula One experience. Yet he quickly managed to build the team into a championship-worthy formation. With the arrival of top designer Adrian Newey in 2006 and the recruitment of young talent such as Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull began a period of dominance. Between 2010 and 2013, the team won four consecutive world drivers’ and constructors’ titles.

After a down period between 2014 and 2018, during which Mercedes dominated the sport, Red Bull once again found its way to success with the arrival of Max Verstappen and its partnership with engine supplier Honda. Under Horner’s leadership, Verstappen won four world titles in a row from 2021 to 2024, while the team also won constructors’ titles in 2022 and 2023.

Controversy and internal tensions

Horner’s departure comes after a period of internal turmoil within Red Bull Racing. In 2024, Horner was accused of inappropriate behavior toward a female employee. Although he was exonerated after an internal investigation, the matter continued to raise concerns and a trial is scheduled for January 2026.

In addition, the team struggled with disappointing performance in 2025. Red Bull is currently fourth in the constructors’ championship, trailing leader McLaren by 288 points. Key figures such as Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley left the team, leading to further destabilization. The relationship with star driver Max Verstappen also came under pressure, partly due to rumors of a possible switch to Mercedes in 2026.

Laurent Mekies as successor

Laurent Mekies, formerly team boss of sister team Racing Bulls, has been appointed as Red Bull Racing’s new team boss. He will make his debut as the new team boss at the Belgian Grand Prix on July 27. The decision to fire Horner was made by Red Bull’s sports chief Oliver Mintzlaff and supported by owners Chalerm Yoovidhya, Mark Mateschitz and motorsport consultant Helmut Marko. Hold the phone, who are they!

Chalerm Yoovidhya

Chalerm Yoovidhya is co-owner of Red Bull GmbH (privately and through family holding company). Yoovidhya is a Thai billionaire and member of the family that developed the original Red Bull energy drink in Thailand. His father, Chaleo Yoovidhya, was the inventor of the drink Krating Daeng, on which Red Bull is based. In 1984, the family entered into a joint venture with Austrian businessman Dietrich Mateschitz, who adapted the drink for the Western market and rolled it out worldwide as “Red Bull.”

Chalerm reportedly owns 51% of the shares in Red Bull GmbH through the Thai shareholder vehicle. He is usually active in the background, but has great influence as a majority shareholder. His approval is essential in major decisions within the group, including the Formula One teams.

Mark Mateschitz

Mateschitz is the only son of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who died in October 2022. After his death, Mark inherited his 49% stake in Red Bull GmbH. He then took a seat on the board of the Red Bull Privatstiftung, a foundation that co-supervises the group. Although Mark Mateschitz is less outspoken than his father, he does influence strategic choices within Red Bull Racing. Operating mainly from Austria, he maintains close ties with the Formula One team and with sporting director Oliver Mintzlaff, who provides business leadership on behalf of the shareholders.

Helmut Marko

Helmut Marko is an advisor for Red Bull Racing and talent scout. Marko is a former Formula One driver from Austria and closely associated with Red Bull Racing since the early years. He was appointed by Dietrich Mateschitz in the early 2000s as head of the Red Bull Junior Team and top motorsport advisor. Marko is considered a pivotal figure in attracting young talent – he discovered Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen, among others. He is known for his direct style and keen sporting eye. Although his formal role is “advisor,” he has long had a substantial say in sporting strategy and personnel decisions within Red Bull Racing and sister team Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri).

In recent years his influence has waned somewhat, partly due to the restructuring of Red Bull after the death of Dietrich Mateschitz, but he was still involved in deciding on Horner’s position.

A lasting legacy

Despite his departure, Horner’s influence on Red Bull Racing remains undeniable. Under his leadership, the team won eight world drivers’ titles and six constructors’ titles, and grew into one of the most successful teams in Formula One history. His strategic insight, ability to recognize talent and leadership shaped Red Bull Racing into the team it is today.

The departure of Horner opens a new chapter for Red Bull Racing. The next few months will be crucial for the team to restore internal calm and find its path to success again under the leadership of Laurent Mekies.

Laurent Mekies, who is that?

Laurent Mekies is a French engineer and experienced Formula One manager. Born April 28, 1977, in Tours, France, Mekies earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the École supérieure des techniques aéronautiques et de construction automobile (ESTACA) in Paris. He completed his final year of study at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom.

Mekies began his career in motorsports in 2000 at Asiatech in Formula 3. In 2001, he made the move to Formula 1 as an engine engineer at Arrows. A year later, he joined Minardi, where he worked as a race engineer for Mark Webber and Christijan Albers, among others. After Red Bull took over Minardi in 2005, the team was renamed Scuderia Toro Rosso and Mekies was promoted to chief engineer.

In 2014, Mekies left Toro Rosso to join the FIA as safety director. There, he played a key role in the introduction of the Halo, a safety feature that has been mandatory in Formula 1 since 2018. In 2017, he was appointed Formula One’s deputy race director.

In September 2018, Mekies made the move to Scuderia Ferrari as sporting director. From 2019, he headed the Track & Performance department and in January 2021 was appointed deputy team boss and race director.

Return to Red Bull family

In 2024, Mekies returned to the Red Bull group as team boss of sister team Visa Cash App RB (formerly AlphaTauri), where he succeeded Franz Tost. Under his leadership, the team pursued a more independent course within Formula One.

Photo: Red Bull Racing Content Pool / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202507050343 // Usage for editorial use only //