Team boss Christian Horner has overplayed his hand behind the scenes at Red Bull. His persistent attempts to gain more influence within the company played a significant role in the decision of Red Bull GmbH’s leadership to let the Brit go after twenty years. This has been confirmed by sources within and around the team.
Horner had previously tried, with the help of a British consortium of investors, to acquire a majority stake in Red Bull Racing without the knowledge of the Austrian owners of Red Bull GmbH. This attempt was unsuccessful.
The recent disappointing results on the track and the looming departure of Max Verstappen to the competition – with Mercedes in pole position – led to the decision to dismiss Horner being made this week, just days after the British Grand Prix and two races before the start of the summer break. However, the relationship between Red Bull Austria and Horner had been cooling for some time.
A telling sign was that Horner’s decision-making authority had already been curtailed earlier this year. Horner no longer had the power to make important decisions independently, as had previously been the case. A number of past miscalculations were held against him, as was the departure of several key figures from the organization, including master designer Adrian Newey, chief designer Rob Marshall, and sports director Jonathan Wheatley. In the eyes of the Austrian owners, Horner was no longer the man who could keep the team together, quite the opposite.
Mekies: A Team Player
According to insiders, there was growing annoyance and frustration on the factory floor in Milton Keynes due to Horner’s directive management style. The Brit wanted control over everything, leaving little room for freedom. The choice of Laurent Mekies as the new team boss seems to be a choice for a different approach. Mekies is much more of a team player who values a strong hierarchy less.
Mekies has years of experience in Formula 1 with the FIA, Ferrari, and Racing Bulls. However, steering the Red Bull stronghold is of a different magnitude. After all, Red Bull has three major divisions; Red Bull Racing, Red Bull Technology, and Red Bull Powertrains. It is expected that he will soon have a heavyweight by his side, allowing him to focus on the sporting and technical aspects.
Another significant difference with Horner is that Mekies tends to stay more in the background and easily allows others to shine. Horner was the figurehead of the team in every respect, supported by a few confidants who have disappeared from the scene with him.
Step by Step
Within Red Bull, there is hope and expectation that Mekies will be able to stop the team’s free fall and that a better future can be built in relative peace. Step by step, because the knowledge and experience that has left will not return. “There are talented technicians who do not want to switch to Red Bull as long as Horner is in charge,” former driver Ralf Schumacher once outlined the problems of Red Bull behind the scenes. That hurdle has been removed this week.
The big question now is whether the course change provides Max Verstappen with enough support to stay with Red Bull after this season. It is certain that no miracles should be expected from Red Bull this year and next, as too much has gone wrong under Christian Horner in the past two years.
