Mekies Commits to Red Bull Through 2031
Red Bull has announced that Laurent Mekies will continue in his role as CEO and Team Principal through the 2031 season, signing a long-term contract extension. The French engineer was promoted from Racing Bulls in July 2025 and has since led the Milton Keynes-based outfit. The team endured a challenging start to the current year, dropping behind rivals under new regulations, but consistent work guided by Mekies eventually paid off as Max Verstappen secured back-to-back victories in Malaysia and Singapore, bringing Red Bull back into contention for regular wins.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6][S7][S8]
The announcement follows recent contract renewals for driver Max Verstappen and team mate Isack Hadjar, ensuring continuity across the team's leadership and driving lineup for future seasons. Mekies expressed pride in continuing with Oracle Red Bull Racing and thanked Chalerm Yoovidhya, Mark Mateschitz, and Oliver Mintzlaff, along with the entire team, for their trust in the project. He highlighted the collective effort and the strong platform provided by Pierre Wache's and Ben Hodgkinson's teams, stating a belief that this is only the beginning.[S1]
Leadership and Shareholder Reactions
Red Bull shareholders Chalerm Yoovidhya and Mark Mateschitz praised Mekies' role in guiding the team through an important transition while maintaining the competitive spirit and principles that define the organization. They described the extension as a reflection of their confidence in his leadership and shared belief in the team's long-term vision, expressing ambition for what lies ahead and commitment to building on the current momentum.[S1]
Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments at Red Bull, commended Mekies for demonstrating outstanding leadership since returning to the Red Bull family. Mintzlaff noted that Mekies combines technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of what makes the team successful, and embodies values such as courage, teamwork, determination, and a desire to compete at the highest level. He emphasized that continuity in leadership is a key ingredient for sustained success and welcomed Mekies' continued guidance through the next chapter.[S1]
