Latest news with #RBR
News18
2 days ago
- Automotive
- News18
Laurent Mekies Chuffed To Join 'The Very Best People At What They Do' At RBR
Last Updated: RBR shared a video of Mekies expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Austrian side, who stand fourth in the constructors' rankings in the ongoing season of F1. New Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies assumed his role at the helm of the F1 manufacturer, a day after replacing former boss Christian Horner. RBR shared a video of Mekies expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Austrian side, who stand fourth in the constructors' rankings in the ongoing season of F1. 'I still look at these guys as most people outside of the team look at them. We see the very best people in the world at what they do," said Mekies. 'It's a privilege to join the team. The focus will really be on making sure that all the talented people here have what they need to perform at their best because they are already the very best," the 48-year-old continued. 'We are not underestimating the challenge ahead. Formula One is going to face probably the biggest challenge of regulation in its history. So its going to be an incredible challenge and we will need everyone," the Frenchman added. Mekies started out life in the pits with now-defunct Arrows in 2001, when Max Verstappen's father Jos was one of the drivers. The French engineer moved to Minardi, who became Red Bull-owned Toro Rosso and eventually rebranded as Racing Bulls. Mekies also spent four years as safety director and deputy race director at the FIA. He took charge as sporting director at Ferrari from 2018 and then deputy principal before leaving in 2023 and returned to Racing Bulls as principal in the subsequent season. Red Bull are building their own power unit for the 2026 season, as they attempt to take on manufacturing giants Mercedes, Honda and Ferrari. After twenty years at the helm of the Austrian side, Horner, who helped RBR to 8 individual titles and 6 constructors' championships, was sacked by the team. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
3 days ago
- Automotive
- News18
'Relentless Ambition, Passion, And Respect': Christian Horner Pens Heartfelt RBR Farewell Letter
Last Updated: After two decades at the helm of the Austrian side, Horner, who helped RBR to 8 individual titles and 6 constructors' championships, was sacked by the team. Former Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner, who was given the sack on Wednesday, took to social media to pen a heartfelt letter to the fans and staff of the side. After two decades at the helm of the Austrian side, Horner, who helped RBR to 8 individual titles and 6 constructors' championships, was sacked by the team. 'After an incredible journey of twenty years together, it is with a heavy heart that today I say goodbye to the Team I have absolutely loved," Horner's post on social media platform, Instagram, began. 'Every one of you, the amazing people at the factory, have been the heart and soul of everything that we have achieved. Win and lose, every step of the way, we have stood by each other as one and I will never forget that. It's been a privilege being part of and leading this epic Team and I am so proud of our collective accomplishments and you all," he added. The British engineer also led the side to over a century of race wins, and pole positions, while managing to clinch a place on the podium a whooping 287 times. He also oversaw a ton of quickest laps produced by Red Bull. 'Thanks to the amazing partners and fans who enabled us to go racing. Your support has helped grow the team from its humble beginnings to an F1 powerhouse that laid claim to 6 Constructors Championships and 8 Drivers Championships," the statement continued. 'Equally, thank you to our rivals, with whom there would be no racing at all. You've pushed us, challenged us, and enabled us to achieve accolades we never dreamed possible. The competition has made every victory sweeter and every setback an opportunity to develop and grow," the 51-year-old said. Laurent Mekies, who served as the head of Racing Bulls, has been named as the CEO of Red Bull Racing following the dismissal of Horner. 'Formula 1 is a sport built on relentless ambition, passion, and respect. The rivalries have been fierce, but the mutual drive to innovate and raise the bar is what has made this journey so special," the update added. 'It's been an honour to be part of this incredible era of motorsport. I leave with immense pride in what we've achieved and also with what's in the pipeline for 2026 — and huge respect for everyone who's made F1 the pinnacle it is today. Thank You- Christian," the post concluded. First Published: July 10, 2025, 09:05 IST
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Lack of data hampered Hakim Danish, says team boss
KUALA LUMPUR: A lack of wet weather data held back Hakim Danish Ramli at the French round of the FIM JuniorGP World Championships (JrGP) yesterday (July 6), says his team principal Zulfahmi Khairuddin. Danish (SIC Racing MSI) crashed in the second lap of the race at Magny-Cours but was able to rejoin, albeit with a damaged bike. He went on to finish a lowly 29th in the race which was won by Brian Uriarte (UAX Seventytwo Artbox). Rico Salmela (Estrella Galicia 0'0) and Joel Esteban (CF Moto Aspar Junior Team) were second and third. Zulfahmi admitted it was a challenging weekend for Danish, who had also crashed during qualifying on Saturday (July 5). "There had not been any rain earlier in the week so it was quite challenging for Danish to race in the wet here," said Zulfahmi today (July 7). "I believe Danish can be strong in the wet (with a good set up). But it was tough for the team to set up the bike as we did not have any wet weather data from this track. "Danish tried his best but struggled to get a good feeling with the bike. We tried making some changes on the grid but it was not enough. "Unfortunately Danish crashed in the second lap. It was disappointing, however, that is just how it is in racing sometimes. "We will continue to focus on improving in our upcoming races." Danish (38 points) dropped from fourth to sixth in the overall JrGP standings after the race. Uriarte leads the championships on 81 points with four rounds remaining this season. Salmela (68 points) and Esteban (50 points) are second and third overall. Aragon will host the next round of the championship on July 27 (two races). Danish will now shift his focus to the Red Bull Rookies Cup (RBR) which will head to the Sachsenring this weekend (July 12-13). Danish currently leads the RBR championship race.
New Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Race two fightback keeps Hakim Danish on top
KUALA LUMPUR: Despite mixed results over the weekend, Hakim Danish Ramli remains in the driver's seat in the Red Bull Rookies (RBR) Cup title race. Hakim finished race one at Mugello a disappointing 13th on Saturday (June 21) but bounced back strong to finish second in race two yesterday (June 22). "My strategy for race one did not work out but Alhamdullilah, everything went well for me in race two," said Hakim today. "It (race two) was another tough race as there was plenty of overtaking both on the straights and in the corners. "As usual, the plan was to stay with the front group and work my way up the field. I was able to execute my strategy. "I am looking forward to my next races at Magny-Cours (July 6) for the FIM JuniorGP World Championship and Sachsenring (July 12-13)." Hakim who won his first RBR race this season at Aragon (race two) earlier this month, leads the championships on 148 points. Spaniard Brian Uriarte is second on 116 points while Indonesia's Veda Pratama is third in the championship race on 92 points. Hakim is currently fourth overall in the FIM Junior GP series on 38 points after three races. Uriarte leads the FIM Junior GP title race with 75 points. Hakim is expected to make the step up to the Moto3 World Championship next year.
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Moto3 seat awaits Hakim Danish but he must 'prove himself' first, says Sepang boss
KUALA LUMPUR: Hakim Danish has a seat waiting for him in the Moto3 category of the World Motorcycle Championships next season but he will have to achieve certain key performance indicators (KPI) this season to secure it. Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif disclosed that ZK Racing - who have been contracted to lead SIC's two-wheel motorsports development programme - have already secured a seat in Moto3 with Frinsa-MT Helmets-MSI for the 2026 season. Shafriman said the seat is essentially Hakim's to lose. The 17-year-old is competing in Junior GP as well as the Red Bull Rookies (RBR) series this season. "There is already a seat ready for him in Moto3 with MT Helmets. He is the frontrunner (for the seat), however, we expect him to earn it," said Shafriman today (April 23). "He must show good performances this year, otherwise it would not be fair to the other riders who could also be considered for this opportunity. "We expect him to finish top-five (overall) in Junior GP and top-three in the RBR series. "Hopefully with guidance from Zulfahmi Khairuddin (ZK Racing boss), he will be able to perform well this season so we can once again have a Malaysian as a full-season rider in the World Championships next year." Hakim finished sixth overall in RBR and was 15th overall in Junior GP last year. Syarifuddin Azman was the last Malaysian to compete as a full-season rider in the World Championships. He raced in Moto3 with MT Helmets in 2023 but found it hard to make an impact and lost his seat for the 2024 season. Shafriman added that SIC and KBS will look to provide support for Hakim if he does make the step up to Moto3 next season. "So far there has not been any final word from MT Helmets whether we have to pay for the Moto3 seat," said Shafriman. "I have heard that there will be a fee but whether that will be absorbed by MT Helmets or us has not been finalised." Shafriman added that SIC will also look to secure a wildcard slot in the lightweight class of the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia - better known as MotoGP Malaysia - which will be held on Oct 24-26. "That (wildcard for Hakim) is the plan," said Shafriman. Shafriman was speaking after attending a letter of understanding (LoU) signing with Aeon Credit Service (M) Berhad in Kuala Lumpur today. The partnership between SIC and Aeon Credit will see the latter playing a key role in the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia as well as the Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) this year.
