Red Bull’s corporate model leaves Laurent Mekies fighting with limited authority

Red Bull’s problems run deeper than the RB22

Laurent Mekies has inherited a Red Bull operation facing trouble on several fronts, but the central issue may not be the team principal himself. Since Christian Horner’s dismissal midway through 2025, the organisation has changed dramatically — and the shift in power behind the scenes is now shaping its Formula 1 performance.

That political upheaval matters because Red Bull no longer appears to operate with the same leadership structure. As outlined by journalist Edd Straw on The Race F1 Podcast, the team has become a “more corporate version” of itself, with increased oversight and control from its owners.

Mekies carries responsibility without equivalent freedom

Mekies cannot be held solely responsible for that situation. Yet the structure around him is becoming increasingly relevant. Straw describes the new approach as a “bad thing” and a “danger” for the team, arguing that Mekies is not empowered in the same way Horner was. Rather than operating as a dominant political force, he appears to be functioning as a “functionary” or simply an “employee”.

The clearest example is ADUO. Red Bull will not be permitted additional upgrades in 2026 or 2027 because the FIA believes it has the strongest engine. Mekies has warned of the “disastrous” consequences, but the criticism is that Horner would have protested more aggressively and used his influence to challenge the decision.

That contrast sits alongside the wider performance concerns examined in Red Bull’s 2026 half-season report.

The next test for Red Bull

An F1 team must be able to function as a unified racing operation. The argument being made now is that Red Bull’s corporate oversight is restricting that freedom. Former owner Dietrich Mateschitz was described as effective because he rarely interfered in the team’s operation.

Mekies therefore needs greater leeway in Milton Keynes. Unless Red Bull restores that operational freedom, the team may continue to struggle — regardless of whether its team principal is personally at fault.