BREAKING: Red Bull New team principal Laurent Mekies says Christian Horner can’t be… Read more
Laurent Mekies Says Red Bull Can’t Replace Horner Like Man United Replaced Ferguson
Newly appointed Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has acknowledged the impossibility of replacing Christian Horner in a similar fashion to how Manchester United struggled to replace Sir Alex Ferguson. The Frenchman, who recently transitioned from Racing Bulls to lead the senior Red Bull Formula 1 team, emphasized that Horner’s departure marks the end of an extraordinary era and that no one can replicate his unique leadership.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Mekies drew a powerful comparison between Horner’s exit and the legendary football manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement from Manchester United. “Nobody can replace Sir Alex and nobody can replace Christian,” Mekies stated. “We are all different. What matters the most is that the group [at Red Bull] is unbelievable.”
He further added that his immediate focus is to understand the team dynamics and build on Red Bull’s existing strengths to secure future successes. “What we want to do is get to understand well this group as much as one can, and create together the next small or big competitive advantage that we’ll need to add up if we want to be back to fighting for wins and championships.”
Mekies’ Sudden Promotion
Mekies’ appointment came as a surprise even to him. Having served as team principal at Racing Bulls, he revealed that he received a phone call just hours before Red Bull officially announced Horner’s dismissal. The call came from Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff and advisor Helmut Marko while Mekies was at the Racing Bulls UK base.
“It came out of the blue at that moment for me. I had to think about it for a few hours,” Mekies admitted. “It was difficult to digest but then the first thing that comes to your mind is, ‘wait a second, it’s Red Bull. They are calling you and asking you to step into that job’. With everything Red Bull brings – its energy, spirit, and how they go racing – you pick up the phone and go, ‘of course, it’s an honour and privilege’.”
Despite the sudden nature of his new role, Mekies brings a wealth of experience to the table, having had a long career within F1’s technical and managerial circles.
A Veteran of the Paddock
Mekies started his journey in Formula 1 at Arrows in the early 2000s before moving to Minardi, a team that eventually became Toro Rosso after being acquired by Red Bull in 2005. His career took a significant turn when he joined the FIA in 2014 as safety director, playing a crucial part in the introduction of the halo safety device. He later served as deputy race director in 2017.
In 2018, Mekies joined Ferrari as sporting director and eventually became deputy team principal. He returned to the Red Bull fold at the beginning of 2024 as Racing Bulls team principal. His promotion to the main Red Bull team comes at a time of change and reflection for the organization following Horner’s exit.
Christian Horner’s Support
Despite being ousted from his role, Christian Horner has remained gracious and supportive of his successor. Mekies revealed that Horner has kept in touch throughout the transition, offering encouragement and advice.
“He has been nothing else but supportive, even in the extremely difficult context for him,” Mekies said. “He was the first one to text, the first one to call [after the news]. Even this morning we messaged each other again.”
Mekies made it clear that he does not see himself as a direct replacement for Horner. “Is there any way someone can do the same with Christian? No, or at least, certainly not me,” he said. “But we will rely on the incredible strengths that there is in this team.”
A New Chapter at Red Bull
During his first press conference at Spa-Francorchamps, Mekies struck a friendly and optimistic tone. He was seen smiling, shaking hands with journalists, and sharing jokes with Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft — moments likely to be featured in the upcoming season of Drive to Survive.
Though he avoided setting specific performance goals or discussing Max Verstappen’s future, Mekies repeatedly emphasized the quality of the people within the team. Drivers such as Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson echoed similar sentiments, noting Mekies’ experience and leadership style as strengths.
Analysts believe Mekies’ engineering background signals a shift in Red Bull’s strategic direction. Much like rival teams McLaren, Williams, and Haas, who have embraced technically-minded leadership, Red Bull appears to be aligning with that trend under Mekies’ stewardship.
As Red Bull enters a new phase without the charismatic leadership of Christian Horner, all eyes will be on Mekies to see how he navigates one of the most high-pressure roles in motorsport. While replicating Horner’s legacy may be impossible, Mekies is determined to write a new chapter of success based on the formidable foundation already in place.
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