Red Bull extends team principal Laurent Mekies through 2031
Red Bull confirmed a long-term contract extension for team principal Laurent Mekies that runs through the 2031 season. The deal follows Max Verstappen’s earlier extension with the team through at least 2030. Mekies took over after Christian Horner’s departure and has helped Red Bull remain in the constructors’ fight.
Mekies became team principal after Red Bull and Christian Horner separated following the 2024 British Grand Prix. That season, the team still secured another drivers’ title with Verstappen. Red Bull has finished third in the constructors’ standings in each of the past two years and is currently fourth, seven points behind McLaren.
Verstappen’s extension keeps him with the team through at least 2030, while Mekies’s deal runs through 2031. The RB22 has shown stronger form, with Verstappen winning the last two races. Red Bull has also started its power-unit partnership with Ford. Verstappen sits fourth on 221 points, 119 behind Kimi Antonelli, who could clinch the title in Austin.
The extension may give Red Bull staff, sponsors, and fans a clearer sense of continuity as the team begins its Ford power-unit partnership. A long-term principal could influence hiring, car development, and public communication, potentially shaping competitive balance and audience interest. For Verstappen, alignment with Mekies through 2031 may support on-track stability, though results will ultimately determine how much this news resonates beyond the paddock.