Speaking at a planned filming day with the 2025 car at Silverstone on his first day on the job, Mekies paid tribute to his predecessor and admitted it felt odd to be at Red Bull without Horner there.

Christian Horner’s sacking from Red Bull sent shockwaves through Formula 1. But his replacement Laurent Mekies could be the calm presence the team needs amid what promises to be an intense period of scrutiny.

Now Red Bull has confirmed that Laurent Mekies, formerly the Racing Director at Ferrari and the Team Principal at Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s junior team, is taking over for Horner.