Mekies brings vast experience as he takes over F1 team Red Bull after Horner's sacking
FILE -RB team principal Laurent Mekies is interviewed on the grid before the Sprint race at the Miami Formula One Grand Prix, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
FILE -RB team principal Laurent Mekies is interviewed on the grid before the Sprint race at the Miami Formula One Grand Prix, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
FILE - Ferrari's sporting director Laurent Mekies attends a press conference ahead of the French Formula One Grand Prix at the Paul Ricard racetrack in Le Castellet, southern France, Friday, June 18, 2021. (Nicolas Tucat/Pool via AP, File)
FILE -RB team principal Laurent Mekies is interviewed on the grid before the Sprint race at the Miami Formula One Grand Prix, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
MILTON KEYNES, England (AP) — Red Bull's Formula 1 team is changing team directors for the first time since it was founded 20 years ago, after Christian Horner's sacking sent shockwaves through the sport on Wednesday. But his replacement Laurent Mekies could be the calm presence the team needs amid what promises to be an intense period of scrutiny.
Mekies, who had been head of sister team Racing Bulls, brings vast experience to the role after he was hired to replace Horner as chief executive of Red Bull's F1 team.
Advertisement
The timing of Horner's firing at least gives him a little bit of time to prepare, as he takes charge of his first race at the Belgian GP on July 27.
Here are some things to know about Mekies:
What are his credentials?
The 48-year-old Frenchman has been in F1 since the early 2000s.
He worked as a race engineer with the Minardi team — which featured future Red Bull driver Mark Webber — and was among the Minardi staff who stayed when Red Bull took over and created the Toro Rosso team in 2005.
He brings vast experience, and F1 knowledge from both working inside teams and inside the institution of motor sport's governing body, FIA.
Advertisement
After leaving Toro Rosso in 2014, Mekies had a stint as the FIA's safety director during a crucial time as F1 made the 'halo' protective device mandatory on cars, following the death of French F1 driver Jules Bianchi and British IndyCar driver Justin Wilson in 2015.
Ferrari role
Mekies returned to a team role in 2018, joining Italian F1 giant Ferrari as its sporting director, working alongside then-team principal Mattia Binotto.
He was promoted to race director, and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc once doused him with Champagne after winning the 2022 Austrian GP.
But erratic decision-making and botched pit stops by the team during races undermined Ferrari's bid to challenge at the top.
Advertisement
Mekies left Ferrari halfway during the 2023 season, following Binotto's departure at the end of 2022.
Racing Bulls
Mekies became team principal of the Racing Bulls team at the start of 2024.
When Yuki Tsunoda was promoted to the Red Bull team after just two rounds this season, Mekies said he was 'incredibly proud' of Tsunoda's progress.
This season he also worked with rookie French driver Isack Hadjar, who has impressed in spells, and Liam Lawson after he was demoted from Red Bull to make way for Tsunoda.
Mekies will be replaced by Alan Permane at Racing Bulls, formerly the racing director.
Advertisement
'The last year and a half has been an absolute privilege to lead the team,' Mekies said. "The spirit of the whole team is incredible, and I strongly believe that this is just the beginning. Alan is the perfect man to take over now and continue our path.'
Challenges ahead
Looking further ahead, Mekies has much work to do at Red Bull with new technical regulations on cars coming up in 2026.
'The challenge is huge, probably the biggest for the teams,' he said recently. 'I'm sure the teams will need the drivers to help them develop in the right direction (and) help them grasp these regulations.'
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
4 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Vikings' Jordan Addison waits for potential NFL suspension after drunken driving plea deal
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Jordan Addison's off-the-field trouble, the Minnesota Vikings believe, is fully behind him. There is one more pressing matter to resolve, leaving the team and the third-year wide receiver to wait on potential punishment from the NFL as training camp unfolds. After Addison avoided a trial on a drunken driving case in California by pleading no contest to a lesser charge last week, the adjudication paved the way for the league to issue discipline. NFL policy on substances of abuse calls for a three-game suspension for a first offense of an alcohol-related violation of the law. Though Addison resolved the citation from 2024 with a 'wet reckless' misdemeanor that comes with fewer penalties and does not count as a DUI conviction on his driving record, a no-contest plea bargain doesn't exclude players from league suspensions. 'Everything is out of my control right now, so whatever the league has got for me, I'll be prepared with whatever decision they make,' Addison said Wednesday, before the team's first full practice of training camp. Addison had to pay a fine and complete two online courses, with the expectation his probation will be shortened from 12 to six months. 'Just to get it all behind me and just get on with the season,' he said, when asked why he opted for the plea bargain. As for his takeaway from the legal process, which began before his rookie year with a citation in Minnesota for excessive speeding? 'Just be smart,' Addison said. 'Make smart decisions. That's pretty much all.' Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said the team has been in contact with the NFL about the case but had no indication about when to expect a decision. 'They're obviously going through their process, and we'll know as soon as they know,' Adofo-Mensah said. 'Obviously, when that originally happened, we knew that it was a possibility, but really you're talking about team building in general. You might not have players on the field for various reasons, and you've always got to be ready with depth, players you're excited about taking the field and taking those opportunities, and this is no different.' Those players include Jalen Nailor, Tai Felton and Rondale Moore. Nailor had a breakout season in 2024, with 28 catches for 414 yards and six touchdowns after his first two years in the league were hampered by injuries. Felton was the team's third-round draft pick out of Maryland. Moore signed as a bargain free agent after missing last season with Atlanta with a torn ACL. He played his first three years in the league for Arizona. Addison's skills likely won't be replaced by any of those role players, however, should he be absent for the beginning of the season. With 133 catches for 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns in two years, the 2023 first-round draft pick has flourished on the field as the sidekick in a dangerous duo with two-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson, who invited Addison earlier in the offseason to work out with him. 'Just talking to him and letting him know that, 'Hey, you need to be more vocal,'' Jefferson said during spring practice. 'He has that motivation and he's a great player as well, so people are going to listen to him as he speaks. Just trying to get him out of that shyness phase, or just being closed off and to himself, but I think he is getting better with that.' ___ AP NFL:
Associated Press
4 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Spain and Germany's semifinal at Euro 2025 goes into extra time
ZURICH (AP) — The Women's European Championship semifinal between World Cup winner Spain and record eight-time champion Germany has gone into extra time with the match tied at 0-0 on Wednesday. Germany's resilient defense managed to stifle Spain's stellar attack and also produced chances of its own, with Giovanna Hoffmann missing the ball right in front of goal. Spain had the best chances and lion's share of possession but needed to be more clinical. Captain Irene Paredes headed a corner off the post. The winner will face defending champion England in Sunday's final in Basel in either a rematch of the Euro 2022 final — which Germany lost — or of the World Cup final, which Spain won. ___ AP soccer:
New York Post
5 minutes ago
- New York Post
Deion Sanders visits son at Bucs training camp while grappling with mysterious health issue
Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders was in Tampa Bay for the first day of Buccaneers training camp on Wednesday as his son, undrafted rookie safety Shilo Sanders, is playing for a roster spot. The Buccaneers posted a video on X showing the Hall of Fame cornerback talking and laughing with Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles on the practice field. Sanders — who took time away from Colorado this offseason to tend to an unspecified health issue — shared a photo of himself and Shilo on Instagram, along with a snapshot featuring his eldest son, Deion Jr., in Tampa Bay. 'Had to visit Tampa to see [Shilo],' Sanders, 57, captioned the post. During a news conference Wednesday, Bowles explained it was business as usual for him, despite Sanders' visit to the closed practice. 6 Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders talks with Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles during the first day of Tampa Bay training camp on July 23, 2025. Instagram/Deion Sanders 6 Shilo Sanders and Deion Sanders at the first day of Buccaneers training camp on July 23, 2025. Instagram/Deion Sanders 6 (L-R) Deion Sanders Jr., Shilo Sanders and Deion Sanders at the first day of Buccaneers training camp on July 23, 2025. Instagram/Deion Sanders 'Normal day for me, as far as I'm concerned,' said Bowles, who has two sons playing college football. 'It's a father coming to see his son, like all of us would be doing.' Sanders said last week that he would try his best to visit Shilo and his other son, Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, before returning to Boulder amid his mysterious ailment. 6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles, right, talks to Colorado head coach Deion Sanders during practice at NFL football training camp, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. AP Earlier this month, Sanders declined to discuss details involving his health issue at Big 12 media day. However, he told ESPN that he's 'already back,' and would return to campus in Boulder after spending time at his ranch home in Canton, Texas. 'I'm already back. I'm here today. I'm handling my responsibilities. So I look forward to it,' Sanders said. 'I can't wait. You've got to understand, some of the young [players] I haven't even met yet. I'm so excited about that.' 6 Colorado head coach Deion Sanders listens to a question during the Big 12 NCAA college football media day in Frisco, Texas on July 9, 2025. AP Sanders also thanked his former Dallas Cowboys teammate, Michael Irvin, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark, Colorado athletic director Rick George and his fellow Big 12 coaches for checking in on him while he was away from the team. 'I'm looking good, I'm living lovely,' Sanders said. 'God has truly blessed me. Not a care in the world, not a want or desire in the world.' 6 Colorado head coach Deion Sanders walks on stage to speak during the Big 12 NCAA college football media day in Frisco, Texas, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. AP Sanders previously had multiple surgeries to address blood clots in both of his legs. In 2021, he had his left big toe and second toe amputated due to blood clots. Sanders, who led Colorado to a 9-4 record in his second season with the team, agreed to a five-year, $54 million contract extension in March. Colorado is scheduled to begin its preseason summer camp later this month. The Buffaloes open the 2025 season against Georgia Tech on Aug. 29 in Boulder.
