What Red Bull factory workers are saying about the ‘culture’ at the team since Christian Horner left

Follow us on Google Discover

Red Bull have undergone a bit of a shift since the summer break and have been building some serious momentum.

Just a few months ago, there were worries about the team’s direction heading into the 2026 F1 regulations. Now, they’re back in the hunt for a record-matching fifth consecutive drivers’ championship, and their car is fast once more.

The arrival of Laurent Mekies as team principal has buoyed Red Bull. A new way of doing things has helped to transform their efforts in a very short space of time, and it could be a vital factor in keeping Max Verstappen beyond 2026.

Verstappen is ‘certain’ of what he wants from his next teammate, and the team faces a tricky decision before finalising their line-up for next year. Yuki Tsunoda can save his F1 seat, but it’s going to take a lot more than the performances he has registered throughout the season so far.

READ MORE: Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris told how Max Verstappen will ‘intimidate’ them at the Sao Paulo GP

Red Bull factory workers notice ‘culture’ change since Christian Horner left

Letting Christian Horner walk in the summer was one of the most stunning moves in recent memory. The man who had built the Milton Keynes-based outfit almost from scratch was released, signalling a new dawn for the team.

Mekies has shown Horner that F1 has changed in the months following his departure, and it’s possible that his engineering-geared brain is part of the reason behind their recent comeback.

Journalist Rebecca Clancy has now shared how the ‘culture’ with the team has changed recently, telling BBC’s Inside Track Podcast that there’s more ‘fun’ within the team now.

“I think Red Bull have been really impressive, particularly since Mekies has come in,” she said. “He wasn’t expecting it, it was a surprise [that] Horner was let go after the British Grand Prix in July. He took the summer break, I think that probably came at the perfect time for Red Bull, as well.

“For Verstappen, and for the team. They’ve gone, ‘Actually, yeah. Have a bit of fun.’ You hear all the stories coming out from the factory [that] the culture is changing a bit. The development, how they approach races in changing to their advantage. They do seem to be in quite a good place at the moment.”

READ MORE: Red Bull’s Liam Lawson decision delay suggests ‘big’ change to Helmut Marko’s role behind the scenes

Why Red Bull are performing better with Laurent Mekies as their F1 boss

Since Mekies’ arrival, he has changed various things at Red Bull, helping to improve their processes during race weekends, as well as their decision-making.

Red Bull’s ‘head honchos’ haven’t decided on Tsunoda’s future yet, but it’s going to be a real test of their vision and ambition for the future.

After years of trying to find someone to put next to Verstappen, if Mekies can make yet another good decision, they will be serious contenders again next year.

Whatever he has done so far is working, and in a few weeks, they will know if they have secured their fifth consecutive title. If they achieve the almost impossible, their dip in performance will have been very short-lived.