New Red Bull F1 chief admits to Christian Horner handover

New Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has taken over from Christian Horner, who was relieved of his duties two weeks ago. Mekies, a French engineer, is now leading the team at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Mekies, who previously led Red Bull's sister team Racing Bulls, has a long history in Formula 1, including stints at Toro Rosso, Ferrari, and the FIA. The specific reason for Horner's departure was not disclosed in the brief statement from Red Bull, and drivers Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda also could not provide clarity on the matter.

Mekies mentioned that Red Bull bosses did not explain to him the reasons behind Horner's replacement. He expressed gratitude for Horner's support over the years and emphasized his loyalty to the Red Bull brand.

Regarding the future of star driver Max Verstappen, Mekies did not directly address speculations but highlighted Verstappen's desire for a competitive car. He praised the team's dedication and spirit, aiming to enhance competitiveness for Verstappen.

Verstappen performed well in practice, coming in second behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri. The team is focused on providing a fast car to meet Verstappen's ambitions for the season.