Laurent Mekies extends Red Bull contract through 2031
Laurent Mekies will remain team principal and chief executive officer of Oracle Red Bull Racing through the 2031 Formula 1 season, the team announced on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The multi-year contract extension secures leadership continuity for Max Verstappen’s squad as the team transitions into a new engine era. Verstappen is signed with the Milton Keynes-based constructor through 2030, while teammate Isack Hadjar holds a contract through the end of the following season, establishing a long-term foundation at the top of the organization.
Shareholders and leadership cite stability during transition
Red Bull shareholder Mark Mateschitz announced the agreement during a team meeting at the factory in Milton Keynes, as reported by RacingNews365 and RaceXpress. Shareholders Chalerm Yoovidhya and Mark Mateschitz praised the team principal’s impact since he stepped into the role. “Laurent has played a crucial role in steering the team through a major transitional period, successfully preserving the competitive spirit and Red Bull principles that define us,” the shareholders said in a joint statement published by NOS. Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments at Red Bull, pointed to Mekies’ technical knowledge, strategic vision, and leadership qualities as key components for sustainable success, according to RacingNews365.
Laurent Mekies has signed a long-term contract extension to remain as Red Bull Racing's CEO and Team Principal, lasting through the 2031 season 🚨FULL STORY 👉 https://t.co/BVYbT1h4ln#F1 pic.twitter.com/IzjpQNcauL
From Racing Bulls return to Red Bull Racing leadership
Mekies returned to the Red Bull family in 2024 to serve as team principal of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, following prior executive roles at Ferrari, Toro Rosso, Minardi, and the FIA, as detailed by RaceXpress and RacingNews365. In July 2025, he succeeded Christian Horner as CEO and team principal of Red Bull Racing after Horner’s departure following a tenure that began in 2005. Under Horner, the team secured eight drivers’ world titles with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen alongside six constructors’ championships. Financial filings submitted by Red Bull to Companies House later revealed that Horner received a severance payment of 33,494,000 pounds following his dismissal, as noted by F1Head.
On-track recovery and the 2026 power unit era
The 2026 campaign presented a fresh hurdle as Red Bull introduced its first in-house power unit developed by Red Bull Powertrains. After a difficult opening phase where the team struggled to match Mercedes and Ferrari, performance improved following upgrades introduced around the Austrian Grand Prix. Verstappen claimed the constructor’s maiden victory with the new power unit in Malaysia—a win Horner later described to F1Head as a bittersweet milestone—followed by a dominant weekend sweep of both the sprint race and the Grand Prix in Singapore.
Internal key figures and upcoming Austin preparations
Reflecting on his contract extension, Mekies credited the collective effort within the factory and highlighted technical director Pierre Waché and powertrain development lead Ben Hodgkinson as crucial pillars for the future, as reported by RacingNews365 and RaceXpress. The announcement arrives ahead of the United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin, Texas. Free practice opens on Friday, October 23, 2026, leading into the main race on Sunday, October 25, at 21:00 Dutch time (UTC+1), where Mercedes driver Kelli Antonelli enters the weekend with a mathematical opportunity to secure the championship, according to F1Head’s schedule reporting.
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