Now, here is a massive statement of intent for the future. Red Bull have officially confirmed that Laurent Mekies will stay on as CEO and Team Principal on a long-term contract extension keeping him at the helm through the 2031 season.
It is a remarkable trajectory for the French engineer, who was promoted from Racing Bulls in July 2025. He took charge of the Milton Keynes-based outfit right as they faced a brutal, challenging start to the year, slipping behind their rivals under the weight of new regulations. But steady, relentless work through 2026 under his guidance finally turned the tide, yielding back-to-back victories for Max Verstappen in Malaysia and Singapore to pull Red Bull right back into the fight for regular wins.
With both Verstappen and team mate Isack Hadjar locking down contract renewals in recent months, this new deal for Mekies completely locks in leadership stability for the years ahead. “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 stated. He also pointed to the vital groundwork laid by Pierre Wache’s and Ben Hodgkinson’s teams as the bedrock for their future platform.
Shareholders Yoovidhya and Mateschitz voiced absolute confidence in his leadership during a tricky transitional phase, praising his ability to maintain the team's competitive spirit and core principles. Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO Corporate Projects and Investments Red Bull, echoed that sentiment by highlighting Mekies' rare mix of technical prowess, strategic brilliance, and pure racing grit.
Continuity is everything in this business, and Red Bull have just secured theirs for the long haul.
