With Laurent Mekies replacing Christian Horner as Red Bull team principal, there are plenty of questions to answer at Milton Keynes. Perhaps the most pressing is the impact of Horner’s departure on the Red Bull futures of Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda
What’s next for Verstappen and Tsunoda at Red Bull
At the beginning of 2024, the controversy surrounding Christian Horner created a massive power struggle at Red Bull.
As previously explained by LWOS, significant tensions emerged between Horner and the Verstappen camp last year.
The consequence of this rupture, however, was the British team principal receiving support from Red Bull’s CEO – cementing his leadership of the team.
However, the situation at Milton Keynes has evolved dramatically in recent months.
With Max Verstappen in contract talks with Mercedes, Red Bull have taken aggressive steps to keep him at the team.
There have been whispers for some time about the Verstappen camp being in opposition to Christian Horner.
These requests were likely a by-product of the fallout from early 2024.
The Dutchman and his entourage are understood to have ben pushing for Horner to have less control over Red Bull’s direction.
In many ways, this stance (which has become increasingly clear to Red Bull’s ownership) has forced the Austrian team into action.
Replacing the British team principal with Laurent Mekies – who joins from VCARB – wouldn’t happen place without Verstappen’s approval.
Having stood by Horner just eighteen months ago, this clear U-turn represents an unequivocal response to Mercedes’ relentless pursuit of the reigning Champion.
Red Bull are exercising every possible option to keep the 27-year-old.
Whilst Verstappen’s continuity at Red Bull is not guaranteed, his presence in 2026 is now substantially more likely.
A boost for Tsunoda
On the opposite side of the garage, Mekies’ arrival to Red Bull will be welcome news for Yuki Tsunoda.
It was Mekies who oversaw Tsunoda’s progress at VCARB as the Faenza outfit’s team principal in 2024.
The Frenchman consistently praised the 24-year-old, even putting Tsunoda forward as the best candidate to replace Sergio Perez at the end of 2024.
“He has put that car in P3 in Brazil, P7 in Vegas on the grid. Who am I to tell you he’s not ready to get a faster car?
“Of course he’s ready to get a faster car,” said Mekies last winter.
Of course, Mekies’ belief in the Japanese driver wasn’t shared by Red Bull, who instead promoted Liam Lawson.
Still, it is significant that Red Bull’s new team principal has explicitly stated his support for the #22 driver.
Frankly, regardless of Verstappen’s teammate, stability will be the priority for Laurent Mekies in what remains of 2025.
A mid-season driver swap, therefore, was never a viable option – irrespective of who was alongside the Dutchman.
At the same time, Tsunoda can rest assured that Red Bull’s team principal is a firm believer in his abilities.
This will not only impact his seat this year, but his prospects for 2026 as well.
Inevitably, the 24-year-old will still be under pressure to improve his results.
Crucially, though, his team principal no longer has a well-documented history of doubting his abilities.
Mekies sees Tsunoda as a capable driver worth investing in – rather than a stop-gap as Horner did.
Changing the narrative
Beyond their driver line-up, Red Bull’s objectives for the next six months are clear.
The first priority will be to acknowledge that catching McLaren is no longer feasible.
Focusing on making the RB21 more predictable, for the short-term, is a more realistic target.
Aside from helping Verstappen claim more victories, a mote stable platform should help Tsunoda rediscover his form.
Beyond this, there can be no denying the Austrian outfit are in a period of transition. Concerns about their 2026 development have contributed to the rumours about Max Verstappen potentially joining Mercedes.
Whilst the challenges facing Red Bull powertrains for 2026 will not disappear, the factory in Milton Keynes will shift their focus to surpassing expectations with next year’s challenger.
As it stands, the consensus if that Red Bull won’t be front-runners when the new regulations arrive.
Their task is to keep themselves at the front next season – whilst also limiting the damage in this year’s campaign.
Man photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images (Red Bull content pool)
