Mekies: Not underestimating the challenge ahead at Red Bull

Speaking on his first day in the job as Red Bull boss, 48-year-0old Formula 1 veteran Mekies acknowledged the scale of the transition and the calibre of the organisation he inherits: “I look at this Team as most outside look at them, we see the very best people in the world at what they do.

"That’s what this Team is, even from being a competitor previously you look at Red Bull Racing as being the sharpest team, having managed to accumulate the best talent to work together.

“It is a privilege to join the Team and the focus will be on making sure all the talented people here have what they need to perform at their best, because they are already the very best. We will be focusing on that and making sure the Red Bull energy is flowing through the Team.”

Mekies, who returns to the Red Bull fold after previous stints with both Toro Rosso and Ferrari, made it clear: “We are not underestimating the challenge ahead, we will need everybody and we will go about it together and I am sure with everyone’s contributions, we will tackle this challenge."

Speaking on his first day in the job, Mekies acknowledged the scale of the transition and the calibre of the organisation he inherits: “I look at this team as most outside look at them, we see the very best people in the world at what they do. That’s what this team is, even from being a competitor previously you look at Red Bull Racing as being the sharpest team, having managed to accumulate the best talent to work together.”

Mekies added: “It is a privilege to join the team and the focus will be on making sure all the talented people here have what they need to perform at their best, because they are already the very best. We will be focusing on that and making sure the Red Bull energy is flowing through the team.”

Reflecting on Horner’s departure, Mekies paid tribute to his predecessor: “It still feels a bit unreal to be here and not to see him. It would be impossible to underestimate the scale of the achievement this team has had over the past 20 years under Christian’s leadership.

"I met him two decades ago, when he was the youngest team principal in Formula One, and it’s unbelievable to see how he has taken this place to the level it is today, through so many titles and victories.”

Mekies made clear that his arrival is not a clean break from the Red Bull identity: “The main thing is that this is a Red Bull family. We feel the incredible support from Oliver, from Helmut, and from the shareholders.

"It’s true I’m moving from one building to another, from Red Bull Powertrains to Red Bull Racing, but at the core, I’m still part of the same family. Christian, together with Helmut and Oliver, brought me back into the Red Bull system two years ago. All my first thoughts today are really for him.”

Looking ahead, Mekies underlined the team’s readiness to face upcoming challenges, particularly the major regulation changes in 2026: “We are not underestimating the challenge ahead. Formula One is about to undergo one of the biggest regulation changes in its history.

"For Red Bull, this comes with the added responsibility of developing our own power unit. It’s going to be an incredible challenge, and we’ll need everyone to go about it together.”

He described the team as “a beautiful magic machine” and said his priority in the coming weeks is to meet as many members of the team as possible: “The next step is to meet the people. That’s where the magic happens. I can’t wait to meet the guys and girls behind the scenes, listen to them, and understand how everything works so I can find ways to support and contribute.”

Mekies concluded with a message of unity and ambition: “Red Bull is one of the most incredible companies on the planet. In Red Bull Racing, you have the most talented people, the very best at what they do, and this spirit is deeply rooted in the company’s DNA—high energy, risk-taking, always pushing forward, and doing it with a smile.

"We have the best job in the world, and we’ll go about it with the utmost desire to win and with the full energy of Red Bull," declared Mekies, Red Bull Racing's second team principal in 20 seasons of Formula 1.