How Red Bull staff reacted to Christian Horner’s exit on private filming day during Laurent Mekies’ first day in charge

Follow us on Google Discover

Red Bull Racing may have experienced the biggest change in their Formula 1 history this week, but that doesn’t mean that work slows down behind the scenes.

On Wednesday, Christian Horner was relieved of his operational duties at Red Bull, with Laurent Mekies named as his replacement.

Christian Horner had overseen Red Bull winning 14 championships, with only Mercedes winning more titles in the same timeframe.

Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen have four drivers’ championships apiece, with six team titles won in that time.

However, Red Bull’s performances have slipped over the past 18 months, and they currently sit fourth in the team standings, with Verstappen 69 points off championship leader Oscar Piastri.

Yuki Tsunoda is continuing to struggle on the other side of the garage, and Mekies needs to find a way to get the Japanese driver’s confidence up as quickly as possible.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Red Bull staff upset during private filming day after Christian Horner sacking

Journalist Matt Majendie is embedded within the Red Bull Racing team this season, and speaking on The Inside Track Podcast, he gave more details about the feeling within the camp since Horner’s exit.

Red Bull had organised a filming day at Silverstone on Thursday, and explaining the mood within the team, Majendie said: “It’s been a whirlwind period of time since Christian Horner was deposed, as it were, as CEO and team principal at Red Bull Racing.

“And it’s interesting because all the team got together, obviously they were in the factory for the announcement, but the actual racing team got together at Silverstone yesterday for a filming day.

“Now, this has nothing to do with Horner’s departure; this was always planned. And so they all worked there together, in solidarity, business as usual.

“But there was a muted feeling, talking to members of the team, engineers and mechanics, feeling a bit dented, I think, by it, because he was a very popular figure in the team, a very integral heartbeat of the team, and he’s no longer there.

“And that creates some sadness. Some people have worked with him the whole time through Red Bull, through its 20 years. And also uncertainty about the future and what that means.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull team principal and CEO Laurent Mekies

How Red Bull staff feel about Laurent Mekies replacing Christian Horner as Red Bull boss

Mekies is a very well-respected figure in Formula 1, having previously worked for the likes of Minardi, Arrows and the FIA before joining Ferrari.

Mekies took on the role of deputy team principal with the Scuderia before taking over as team boss of Racing Bulls last season.

Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson have benefited from his leadership this year, with both drivers sitting above Tsunoda in the drivers’ championship.

Majendie provided further details about Horner’s exit and the feeling towards Mekies within Red Bull, and said: “We saw Horner’s address to staff, which actually ended quite emotionally. You could hear the crack in his voice. That was leaked.

“But again, speaking to people in the team, he wasn’t the only one to feel that emotion. There were talks of people breaking down in tears in the aftermath of that speech.

“It’s a rollercoaster of emotions at the team, but interestingly, Silverstone was an opportunity for Horner’s replacement, Laurent Mekies, to front-face the team, to shake hands, touch flesh with the Red Bull Racing engineers and mechanics.

“And, he’s also a popular figure in wider Red Bull, he’s been there for a long time, and there’s a lot of warmth for him.

“And all eyes will be on him to see if he can turn things around. And if he’s the right man to lead the team to a new and potentially exciting era.”