Red Bull Racing extends Laurent Mekies' contract to the end of 2031
On 14 October 2026, Red Bull Racing extended the contract of team principal Laurent Mekies until the end of 2031 in Formula One. The announcement was made by the team in a statement attributed to its principal shareholders.
Mekies took over the team principal role at Red Bull from Christian Horner in 2025 after Horner's sacking in the summer of 2025 following 20 years in charge. Red Bull endured a difficult start to the 2026 season but the team developed its car and Max Verstappen secured dominant victories in the last two races in Malaysia and Singapore.
A statement attributed to the two main shareholders of Red Bull, Thai Chalerm Yoovidhya and Austrian Mark Mateschitz, said: "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, who is in charge of the Red Bull F1 programme in his role as chief executive officer of corporate projects and investments, 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."
Verstappen's two victories came in the wake of an interview Horner gave to the Times in which he claimed Red Bull had "lost its mojo, its presence, its vibe". Those wins followed the period of the team's early-season struggles and contributed to the momentum referenced by the shareholders.
Mekies commented on the extension, saying: "I am incredibly proud to continue this journey with 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 talent and committed group every day."
The announcement comes less than two months after Max Verstappen extended his own contract with Red Bull by two years to the end of 2030 after a period of uncertainty over his future.