Red Bull Racing has announced a long-term contract extension for Laurent Mekies, securing his position as CEO and Team Principal until the conclusion of the 2031 Formula 1 season. The announcement was made by Red Bull shareholder Mark Mateschitz following the team’s recent victories in Malaysia and Singapore.
Mekies assumed the role of CEO and Team Principal in July 2025, succeeding Christian Horner. His appointment marked a significant leadership change for the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
The extension of Mekies’ contract follows recent renewals for drivers Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. This strategy aims to strengthen the team’s long-term platform for sustained success.
Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, signed his contract extension in August 2026, committing to Red Bull until the end of the 2030 season.
Verstappen’s previous deal was set to expire in 2028, but included performance-based break clauses. His new agreement solidified his commitment to the team.
Isack Hadjar, who joined Red Bull Racing for the 2026 season, also secured an extended contract through 2027. He was promoted from Racing Bulls, replacing Yuki Tsunoda.
Hadjar has achieved podium finishes in 2026, including a notable result at the Monaco Grand Prix. He recently returned to racing at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after missing three events due to a wrist injury.
Red Bull shareholders Chalerm Yoovidhya and Mark Mateschitz issued a joint statement regarding Mekies’ extension.
The strength of Red Bull has always come from its people and from creating an environment where talented individuals can achieve extraordinary things together. 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, CEO Corporate Projects and Investments Red Bull, also commented on Mekies’ leadership.
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. Continuity in leadership is a key ingredient for sustained success, and we are delighted that Laurent will continue to lead the Team through the next chapter of our journey.
Mekies’ career in Formula 1 spans over two decades, including senior roles at Minardi, Toro Rosso, the FIA, and Ferrari. He led the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls team in 2024 before his move to Red Bull Racing.
The 2026 season introduced new chassis and engine technical regulations. Red Bull is competing with its own power unit, developed in partnership with Ford.
The team experienced a challenging start to the 2026 campaign under these new regulations. However, Red Bull has shown a resurgence, with Verstappen securing consecutive victories in Malaysia and Singapore.
Red Bull has confirmed that no further major car upgrades will be introduced for the remainder of the 2026 season. Development efforts are now fully focused on the 2027 car.
The team has also engaged with the FIA regarding the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system for power units.
Technical Director Pierre Wache and Ben Hodgkinson are central figures in the team’s future technical direction.
Gianpiero Lambiase, Verstappen’s race engineer, is expected to depart for McLaren by the end of the 2027 season. Tom Hart is currently preparing to take over race engineer duties for Verstappen.
