Laurent Mekies may not be the flashiest name in the Formula 1 paddock, but since taking the helm at Red Bull Racing, he has quietly but steadily left his mark. The team's first double podium of the season in Baku is proof that his calm approach is starting to pay off.
When Red Bull Racing decided to part ways with Christian Horner and later Helmut Marko, many wondered if the team they built from scratch into a title-winning machine could survive without its central figures. But that's exactly where Mekies comes in with a completely different style: calm, diplomatic, rational, and almost always smiling. An approach that might seem too simplistic, but now we're beginning to see what kind of culture he wants to instill in one of F1's most successful teams.
In the second half of last season, as Red Bull started winning again, Mekies was often asked how much he thought he contributed. His answer was often 'zero' or close to it. He simply hadn't been there long enough to have a significant influence. That answer could be seen as overly polite or PR-trained, but now that question is rarely heard. Because it's hard to deny that Red Bull is in a better place than at the start of the 2026 season.
The team's progress is evident in the performance of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. Since the Austrian upgrade package was introduced, whenever Verstappen has finished, he has always been on the podium. Despite two non-finishes, he is only five points behind Lando Norris in that period. In Baku, the latest upgrade brought Red Bull its first double podium of the season, with Verstappen missing victory by just 0.196 seconds. Compare that to their position in China or Japan—a huge improvement.
Of course, the first win of the 2026 season is still awaited. There are several issues to resolve, including car behavior that Verstappen has openly discussed. However, behind that, Mekies has already scored personal victories. The most obvious is keeping Verstappen. Although a contract offer with bigger numbers played a part, the Dutchman had only months earlier questioned whether he even wanted to continue in F1, not just which team he wanted to drive for. Successfully convincing Verstappen to stay is an achievement in itself for Mekies.
Additionally, Mekies has managed to maintain team stability amid a major transition. He is not only focused on on-track performance but also on rebuilding trust within the team. With a non-confrontational approach, he has been able to quell internal turmoil that had made Red Bull a wasps' nest. Slowly, a new culture is taking shape: collaboration, openness, and focus on development.
Going forward, challenges remain. Red Bull must continue developing the car to compete closely with McLaren and others. But at least the foundation is starting to show. Mekies may not be one to seek attention, but his work is starting to speak for itself. If Red Bull can return to winning ways, Mekies' name will be increasingly recognized as the architect of their resurgence.
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