Laurent Mekies has been credited with breaking Red Bull Racing's second seat curse. Formula 1 broadcaster Will Buxton believes the team principal's shift in culture has created a supportive environment for Isack Hadjar to thrive.
For years, the seat alongside Max Verstappen has been a revolving door. Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda all struggled to make it stick. Perez moved to Cadillac, Lawson lasted just two race weekends before being sent back to Racing Bulls, and Tsunoda finished 2025 without a standout performance. Now, Hadjar, promoted to Red Bull for 2026, has impressed early on.
Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast, Buxton argued that Mekies' modern management style is the key. "The fact that maybe the curse is being removed, not necessarily through what Isack's doing, but through what Laurent is doing and his culture at the team," he said. He contrasted this with the previous era under Christian Horner and Dr Helmut Marko, which was known for its ruthlessness. "Before, it was very much the consideration that diamonds are forged under pressure. By removing that pressure and perhaps putting arms around and making it a happy and a safe space such that Isack could go away for nearly two months, recoup, come back with a new contract in his pocket rather than a rocket up his ass."
Hadjar suffered a wrist injury during the summer break, which kept him out of action. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was his first race back, and he finished third. That performance seemed to validate the idea that a supportive environment can unlock a driver's full potential.
The cultural shift is also attributed to Mekies' background at Ferrari, where he was known as a communicative manager who trusted his drivers. At Red Bull, he is trying to erase the stigma that the second seat is a career killer. Instead of applying pressure, he builds mental resilience.
With Hadjar's positive results, questions arise whether this is the start of a new era at Red Bull. If the trend continues, Red Bull might finally find a solid partner for Verstappen, something they have long sought. Only time will tell if the curse is truly gone.
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