Laurent Mekies will remain at the helm of Red Bull Racing through the 2031 Formula 1 season after signing a long-term contract extension, the team confirmed on Wednesday, October 14.
The French engineer took over as Team Principal in July 2025 after moving up from sister team Racing Bulls, replacing Christian Horner. He has since overseen a period of transition at the Milton Keynes-based outfit, which faced a difficult start to the 2026 season under the new regulations.
Red Bull’s fortunes have improved in recent races, with Max Verstappen winning the Malaysian and Singapore Grands Prix back-to-back. The results have returned the team to contention for regular victories after a challenging opening stretch of the campaign.
Mekies’ new deal provides continuity in the team’s leadership as Red Bull prepare for the seasons ahead. The announcement follows contract renewals for Verstappen and teammate Isack Hadjar in recent months.
“I am incredibly proud to continue this journey with Oracle Red Bull Racing, and I would like to thank Chalerm [Yoovidhya], Mark [Mateschitz] and Oliver [Mintzlaff], the entire team, and everyone involved for the trust they have placed in the project,” Mekies said.
“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 talented and committed group every day.”
He also pointed to the role of the team’s technical leadership in its long-term plans, naming Pierre Waché and Ben Hodgkinson and their respective teams as central to shaping Red Bull’s future.
“Together, with Pierre Wache’s and Ben Hodgkinson’s teams playing a central role in shaping our future, we have a strong platform for the years ahead, and we genuinely believe this is only the beginning,” he added.
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Mekies has more than 20 years of experience in Formula 1, having worked with Minardi, Toro Rosso, the FIA and Ferrari before returning to the Red Bull organization.
Under his leadership, Red Bull recovered during the second half of the 2025 campaign, with Verstappen ultimately missing out on the Drivers’ Championship by just two points.
The team entered a new technical era in 2026, competing with its own power unit for the first time. After a difficult start to the season, Red Bull secured its first victory of the campaign in Malaysia before following it up with another win in Singapore.
