- Laurent Mekies has officially taken over from Christian Horner as Red Bull Racing’s team principal after a 20-year run.
- He boasts a long career across F1 teams, including Minardi, Toro Rosso, FIA, and Ferrari.
- Known for technical acumen and a composed leadership style, he is expected to bring stability during a turbulent time.
- Mekies is married with two children but keeps his personal life private.
- His estimated net worth is $5 million, with an annual salary expected to exceed $1.5 million.
- His appointment marks a shift toward calmer, regulation-savvy leadership within the Red Bull F1 structure.
After two decades under Christian Horner’s stewardship, Red Bull Racing has ushered in a new chapter by appointing Laurent Mekies as team principal. A seasoned motorsport veteran with a resume that spans Formula 1’s biggest names, Mekies’ rise to the top of one of the sport’s most dominant teams is generating major buzz in the F1 community. But who is he beyond the paddock? From his private life to his growing financial worth, here’s everything you need to know.
Who is Laurent Mekies?
Born April 28, 1977, in Tours, France, Mekies earned engineering degrees from ESTACA (Paris) and Loughborough University. He started his career at Asiatech in Formula 3 in 2000 and entered F1 with Arrows in 2001, before moving to Minardi in 2002. After Minardi transitioned into Toro Rosso (Red Bull’s junior outfit), he advanced to Chief Engineer—a position he held until 2014.
In 2014, Mekies joined the FIA as Safety Director and was promoted to Deputy Race Director by 2017. He played a key role in major safety innovations such as the Halo cockpit system. In 2018, he moved to Scuderia Ferrari as Sporting Director, later becoming Racing Director and Deputy Team Principal, coordinating track operations until leaving in mid-2023.
At the start of 2024, Mekies took charge of Red Bull’s junior team, Racing Bulls (formerly Toro Rosso/AlphaTauri), proving himself as a strong leader. Following Christian Horner’s dismissal, he was swiftly promoted to lead Red Bull Racing, taking on both CEO and Team Principal duties in mid‑2025.
Colleagues and analysts praise Mekies for his technical expertise, calm leadership, and thorough understanding of team dynamics—qualities many regard as exactly what Red Bull needed amid a period of turbulence. His deep familiarity with Red Bull’s culture and regulatory know-how positions him well to steer the team through upcoming challenges, including the major 2026 engine regulations and ongoing season repair.
📌 In a Nutshell:
- Name: Laurent Philippe Mekies
- Born: April 28, 1977, Tours, France
- Education: ESTACA (Mechanics) + Master’s from Loughborough University
- Career Highlights: Arrows → Minardi/Toro Rosso → FIA → Ferrari → Racing Bulls → Red Bull Racing
- Appointed Red Bull CEO/RP: July 9, 2025
“I was first in Formula 3 and then sent my CV to Peugeot. Two weeks later I was testing as an engine supplier for Arrows, while three weeks later I started the F1 season in Melbourne. All because Jean Alesi moved to Sauber and took one of his engineers with him, creating a vacancy at Peugeot”
Laurent Mekies: From Race Engineer to Red Bull’s New Leader
Laurent Mekies is no stranger to the high-stakes environment of Formula 1. Born in France in 1977, he earned a degree in engineering from École Supérieure des Techniques Aéronautiques et de Construction Automobile (ESTACA), followed by a motorsport engineering degree from Loughborough University in the UK.
His early F1 career began with Arrows in 2001, before joining Minardi as a race engineer. When Minardi transformed into Toro Rosso—the precursor to AlphaTauri—Mekies stayed on, rising through the ranks before making the leap to the FIA in 2014. There, he oversaw safety and race operations, helping enforce crucial changes post-Jules Bianchi’s tragic 2014 accident.
In 2018, Mekies joined Scuderia Ferrari as Sporting Director, where he worked closely with team leadership to shape strategic direction.
“Laurent brought precision, intellect, and calm leadership to Ferrari,” said former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto. “He’s exceptionally well-prepared for a role like Red Bull’s.”
A long and storied journey 📖
Laurent Mekies becomes Red Bull CEO with a wealth of motorsport experience behind him 👨💻#F1 @redbullracing pic.twitter.com/Ui1HbWFklz
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 9, 2025
Why Red Bull Chose Mekies to Succeed Horner
Red Bull’s decision to part ways with Horner amid the fallout from a months-long internal investigation sent shockwaves through the sport. The team needed someone with both technical expertise and the poise to lead through scrutiny.
Mekies fits that profile. Known for his collaborative approach and deep understanding of FIA regulations, he offers a stark contrast in style to Horner’s often combative and high-profile presence. Insiders say his ability to unify teams and implement technical reforms played a pivotal role in his appointment.
“Laurent’s appointment is not just about leadership—it’s about stability,” said Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s senior advisor. “He’s got the right temperament and technical insight to guide the team in a very competitive era of Formula 1.”
A Look at His Family: Wife and Kids Remain Largely Out of Public Eye
Unlike his predecessor, Mekies has maintained a remarkably low public profile outside of the paddock. He is married, though the identity of his wife remains undisclosed. The couple has two children and is known to keep family life away from media scrutiny.
In a rare 2022 interview with Auto Hebdo, Mekies briefly mentioned his efforts to maintain a balance between family and career.
“My children are still young, and they don’t care much about Formula 1,” he laughed. “To them, I’m just the guy who misses birthdays sometimes because of work.”
While fans may be curious, this deliberate privacy reflects a European sensibility often seen in Formula 1, where many team principals prefer to shield their families from the spotlight.
Laurent Mekies’ Net Worth and Earnings in F1
Over two decades in Formula 1—holding roles from engineer to sporting director and now team boss—have yielded substantial financial rewards. Laurent Mekies’ estimated net worth as of 2025 is approximately $5 million, according to multiple motorsport financial reports.
His annual salary as Red Bull Racing’s new team principal is speculated to be in the range of $1.5–$2 million, not including performance bonuses and endorsement-related perks. These figures place him among the more modestly paid team bosses in F1, especially when compared to legacy figures like Toto Wolff or Christian Horner.
Still, Mekies is known more for strategic brilliance than lavish spending. He reportedly owns a residence in the Swiss Alps and a property in the South of France, where he occasionally retreats during off-season breaks.
What This Means for Red Bull and the 2025 Season
With Mekies at the helm, Red Bull is signaling a pivot toward technical refinement, regulatory savvy, and calmer leadership. The move may be part of a broader restructuring strategy that includes preparing the team for the upcoming 2026 regulation changes and adapting to the evolving commercial demands of the sport.
Mekies will need to build rapport with drivers like Max Verstappen, who previously had strong backing from Horner. He must also work closely with technical director Pierre Waché to maintain Red Bull’s engineering edge.
Though it’s early days, his appointment has drawn cautious optimism from fans and analysts alike. “He’s not the loudest guy in the room, but often the smartest,” said motorsport journalist Jennie Gow. “That might be exactly what Red Bull needs right now.”
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