Red Bull Confirm Laurent Mekies Contract Extension to 2031 as Team Principal Vows Recent Wins 'Only the Beginning'

Red Bull Lock In Mekies Through 2031

Red Bull have confirmed that team principal and chief executive Laurent Mekies has signed a five-year contract extension that will keep him in charge until the end of the 2031 season.

Mekies joined the Milton Keynes-based squad from sister team Racing Bulls in July 2025, taking over after Christian Horner's 20-year reign was ended by his sacking that summer. The French engineer had also previously worked at Ferrari and the FIA.

Recent Form Fuels the Deal

News of the renewal arrives in the wake of Red Bull's first two wins of the 2026 season, both delivered by four-time world champion Max Verstappen over the past fortnight in Malaysia and Singapore. Mekies guided the team through a challenging start to the year under the new regulations, during which they dropped behind their rivals before a steady development push brought them back into contention.

Red Bull currently sit fourth in the Constructors' Championship but have closed to within seven points of third-placed McLaren, setting up a fiercely competitive finish to the team's first season as an engine manufacturer.

The announcement also caps a period of contract security at the team: Verstappen extended his Red Bull deal to 2030 in August after a spell of uncertainty over his future, while team-mate Isack Hadjar was handed a renewal running into 2027 after impressing in his first season at Milton Keynes.

'This Is Only the Beginning,' Says Mekies

In a joint statement, Red Bull shareholders Chalerm Yoovidhya and Mark Mateschitz said: "The strength of Red Bull has always come from its people and from creating an environment where talented individuals can achieve extraordinary things together.

"Laurent has played a crucial role in guiding the team through an important period of transition while maintaining the competitive spirit and the Red Bull principles that define us. This extension reflects our confidence in his leadership and our shared belief in the long term vision of the team.

"We are ambitious about what lies ahead and we are committed to building on this momentum together."

Mekies, 49, responded: "I am incredibly proud to continue this journey with Oracle Red Bull Racing, and I would like to thank Chalerm, Mark, and Oliver [Mintzlaff], the entire team, and everyone involved for the trust they have placed in the project.

"What makes this team special is the way everyone comes together in pursuit of the same goal, and I feel privileged to work alongside such a talented and committed group every day.

"Together, with Pierre Wache's and Ben Hodgkinson's teams playing a central role in shaping our future, we have a strong platform for the years ahead, and we genuinely believe this is only the beginning.

"As we look ahead, we will continue to embrace the principles that define us: being free in our thinking, fast in our actions and bold in our decisions."

Red Bull Hail 'Continuity in Leadership'

Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull's CEO of corporate projects and investments, who oversees the F1 programme, also praised Mekies' leadership qualities.

"Laurent has demonstrated outstanding leadership since returning to the Red Bull family," he said. "He combines technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of what makes our team successful. Just as importantly, he embodies the values and mentality that define the Red Bull way: courage, teamwork, determination, and an unrelenting desire to compete at the highest level.

"Continuity in leadership is a key ingredient for sustained success, and we are delighted that Laurent will continue to lead the team through the next chapter of our journey."

What's Next

Formula 1 now heads to The Americas for another triple header, beginning with the United States Grand Prix in Austin on October 23-25, live on Sky Sports F1.