1996 Formula One champion Damon Hill has raised doubts about whether Christian Horner‘s replacement, Laurent Mekies, will be able to fill big shoes as CEO of Red Bull Racing.
Horner’s sudden departure was announced by Red Bull on Wednesday, just two days after the British Grand Prix. No reason was mentioned for his ousting, but a range of factors could have determined Horner’s future with the team.
Red Bull has enjoyed dominance since the start of the ground effect era in 2022. The superiority reached its peak the following year when it won 21 out of the 22 races, 19 of which were won by Max Verstappen. However, 2024 started with Horner coming under investigation after a team member allegedly reported inappropriate behavior. This followed reports of an internal power struggle between Horner and senior advisor Helmut Marko.
As the season progressed, Red Bull’s then-chief technology officer, Adrian Newey, who designed the team’s dominant cars, announced his exit. The RB20 F1 car soon began to show signs of balance problems, which affected Verstappen and his then-teammate, Sergio Perez. Fortunately, the Dutch driver managed to secure his fourth drivers’ title, but Red Bull lost out on a constructors’ championship.
Having celebrated six constructors’ championships and eight drivers’ titles since he joined Red Bull in 2005, Horner leaves at a crucial juncture as the team continues to face challenges with the 2025 F1 car. Verstappen is currently third in the championship, and McLaren is charging ahead with its race craft superiority.
Hill posted about Horner’s sudden departure from Red Bull on X, doubting if his replacement can handle the pressure. This is especially concerning given that F1 enters a new era of regulations in 2026. Next year will be the first time when Red Bull will use its own engines, developed in collaboration with Ford under the Red Bull Powertrains. Hill stated:
“CH [Christian Horner] enjoyed massive support from the team he built. I really doubt if a replacement will be able to fill those boots. This might not be the great new beginning some are hoping for. A Palace Coup rarely has good outcomes. But it will be a huge story for F1, seeing how this goes.”
CH enjoyed massive support from the team he built. I really doubt if a replacement will be able to fill those boots. This might not be the great new beginning some are hoping for. A Palace Coup rarely has good outcomes. But it will be a huge story for F1, seeing how this goes. https://t.co/zfvPNenOmg
— Damon Hill (@HillF1) July 9, 2025
Mekies will have a significant responsibility on his shoulders, a lot more than he was used to while heading Red Bull’s junior F1 team, Racing Bulls. What could make matters worse is Verstappen’s potential exit to Mercedes.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff’s interest in signing Verstappen is not fresh news, but with the situation shifting at Red Bull, Verstappen’s allegiance to Red Bull may transform, or it could motivate him to stay and race harder. Either way, he will have to look out for the yellow flags on the path he chooses to pursue.
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