Source: REUTERS/Yves Herman
[Saba Sports News] Following Christian Horner’s dismissal from Red Bull Racing, Laurent Mekies has officially taken over as the team’s new principal, with the F1 Belgian Grand Prix marking Mekies’ debut at the helm. During the media day for the race, star driver Max Verstappen publicly addressed the new leadership for the first time, extending a welcome and expressing optimism about their collaboration. Mekies’ appointment signals a complete overhaul of Red Bull’s leadership. Over the past 18 months, the team has endured significant turmoil, including the investigation into Horner and the departures of technical mastermind Adrian Newey and senior management figure Jonathan Wheatley. With Red Bull now trailing rivals like McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes in the constructors’ championship and their drivers’ title under threat, stabilizing the team and rebuilding competitiveness have become urgent priorities. Amid external scrutiny over the management shake-up, Verstappen broke his silence. He revealed returning to the factory last week for simulator work with the new team. While rumors previously suggested tensions between Verstappen and Horner—even implying the driver played a role in the latter’s exit—Verstappen’s approach to the new leadership appears decidedly professional and forward-looking.