How Mekies' first year in charge is reshaping Red Bull

One year after Laurent Mekies took over as Red Bull Team Principal, the team remains in fourth place in the standings. While the statistical gap to the leaders persists, Mekies has implemented significant organizational changes, including hiring approximately 130 new staff members and restructuring the technical department to improve long-term competitiveness. Despite a challenging start to the 2026 season, the team is encouraged by the performance of sophomore driver Isack Hadjar, who has consistently finished in the top six. Meanwhile, Mekies faces the critical task of retaining Max Verstappen by providing a more competitive car, as the team looks to move past recent technical issues and rebuild its championship-winning form.