Mekies signs Red Bull deal through 2031
Laurent Mekies will remain Red Bull’s CEO and Team Principal through the 2031 season after signing a long-term contract extension, the team confirmed on October 14, 2026.
The agreement secures continuity in the team’s leadership as Red Bull looks to build on a stronger second half of the year. Mekies, a French engineer, was promoted from Racing Bulls in July 2025 and guided the Milton Keynes outfit through a difficult start to 2026 under the new regulations.
Red Bull’s recovery has strengthened its position
Red Bull’s work over the course of the season began to deliver results as Max Verstappen won in Malaysia and Singapore. Those back-to-back victories brought the team back into contention for regular wins after it had fallen behind rivals earlier in the year.
The new contract follows renewals for Verstappen and team-mate Isack Hadjar in recent months. Mekies also played a key role in persuading Verstappen to stay with Red Bull, according to the report. The team’s season-turning effort follows the difficult opening stretch described in our coverage of Mekies’ response to Red Bull’s bleak 2026 start.
In a statement, Mekies said he was proud to continue with the team and thanked its shareholders, staff and wider project for their trust. He pointed to the collective effort across the organisation and said the group had a strong platform for the years ahead. He also highlighted the roles of the teams led by Pierre Wache and Ben Hodgkinson in shaping Red Bull’s future.
Shareholders back Mekies’ long-term leadership
Shareholders Chalerm Yoovidhya and Mark Mateschitz said Mekies had steered Red Bull through an important period of transition while preserving its competitive spirit. They described the extension as a sign of confidence in his leadership and in the team’s long-term direction.
Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments, praised Mekies’ technical knowledge, strategic approach and understanding of the organisation. He said continuity in leadership was important to sustained success and welcomed Mekies’ continued role.
Mekies has spent more than 20 years in Formula 1, working with Minardi, Toro Rosso, the FIA, Ferrari and Red Bull. His new deal keeps him at the helm as the team looks to carry its recent momentum into the seasons ahead. The renewal also extends the period in which Mekies will lead Red Bull’s effort to return to regular victories, a target reflected in his recent focus on bringing Red Bull back into contention.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.