Red Bull’s new era: Mekies takes the helm amid struggles

Red Bull Racing has charted a new course with the dismissal of Christian Horner and the appointment of Laurent Mekies. Over the past year and a half, the team has gone from being the dominant force in Formula 1 to being ranked fourth in the Constructors' Championship. Robert Doornbos does not expect the Austrian squad to quickly return to the top under Mekies.

After Red Bull won almost all races in 2023, expectations were high again in 2024, when Max Verstappen won four of the first five races. However, Red Bull began to struggle increasingly against McLaren, which gained significant pace through updates. Eventually, Verstappen did clinch the championship, but the results in the second half of the season were weaker than in the first half.

This form continues into 2025. Verstappen has managed to win twice, but his last podium came five race weekends ago. He is currently ranked third in the championship. His teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, has had even more difficulties with his RB21. The Japanese driver is eighteenth in the championship with ten points, three of which he scored for Racing Bulls. Doornbos does not expect Red Bull to quickly return to the top of F1.

Max Verstappen in action in Hungary - Red Bull Contentpool

Doornbos does not expect Red Bull to quickly return to the top in F1

Now that there is a new team boss at the helm, the goal is to return to the top. In conversation with Motorsport.com, Doornbos indicated that he does not see this happening very quickly:  “The Christian Horner era is over. Laurent Mekies: you’re the man, go ahead with this technical team of today. This is a different team than the one that achieved the successes of Max Verstappen, with Jonathan Wheatley, Adrian Newey, and Christian Horner. You're not going to replace those people just like that.”

“I also don't think Red Bull will get back to the top quickly in this way. It will simply involve starting from scratch and building — and seeing how the rules evolve. But Laurent will also have to start making moves within the organisation, as continuing in the same way won't work,” Doornbos concluded.