Marko on Mekies and Horner: Red Bull 'Like the Old Days' After Leadership Change

Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko reflects on the recent leadership transition, stating that both Christian Horner and Laurent Mekies "have their merits" as team principals. With the team's return to winning ways, Marko notes that the atmosphere within Milton Keynes now feels "like the old days."

Why it matters:

After a tumultuous mid-season leadership change at Red Bull, the team's resurgence in form under Laurent Mekies is a critical development. This return to competitiveness, reminiscent of their past dominance, underscores the impact of leadership and engineering focus on a team's championship aspirations, especially as they aim to challenge McLaren for the Constructors' title.

The Details:

• Christian Horner was relieved of his duties in July, leading to Racing Bulls boss Laurent Mekies stepping up as Red Bull's new team principal and CEO.
• Mekies is only the second team principal in Red Bull's history, succeeding Horner after a long association with the team.
• He has emphasized that recent performance improvements are not solely due to his leadership, as some updates were planned before his arrival.
• Despite recent setbacks, Max Verstappen has significantly closed the gap to the leading McLaren duo in the title hunt, contributing to the team's renewed "old days" feeling.
• Verstappen's Influence: Marko credits Max Verstappen's "massive" influence, working closely with Mekies, to develop a "new way" of maximizing the car's potential.
  • This new approach focuses on what the stopwatch shows rather than just simulator numbers, aiming to create a wider operating window for the RB21.
• Engineer-Driver Collaboration: Mekies, a skilled engineer, is praised for his communicative approach with the team and driver, fostering a partnership that extracts the maximum from the car.
• Max's Unique Driving Style: Marko highlights Verstappen's exceptional car control and feel, particularly his ability to maintain full throttle even when the car's rear is unstable, a trait that often differentiates him from his teammates.

Looking Ahead:

Red Bull's renewed form and positive atmosphere suggest a strong finish to the season, with the team aiming to maintain its competitive edge.

• The ongoing collaboration between Mekies and Verstappen will be crucial in further refining the car's performance and adapting to future challenges.
• While the leadership transition was unexpected, the team's current trajectory indicates a successful adaptation and a focused approach toward reclaiming their position at the pinnacle of Formula 1.