Christian Horner examines Red Bull's "Maverick" persona with Laurent Mekies at the helm.
For twenty years, Red Bull Racing established itself as the rebel force of Formula 1. Founded by the late Austrian billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz and managed with a firm hand by Christian Horner, the Milton Keynes team took pride in achieving what conventional manufacturers considered unfeasible—culminating in the bold establishment of Red Bull Powertrains in 2021.
Yet, over a year after his abrupt dismissal in July 2025, Horner has issued a pointed critique regarding the team's current direction. In a discussion with The Guardian, the former team principal indicated that the nonconformist essence that drove Red Bull to 14 world titles has diminished under corporate CEO Oliver Mintzlaff and his successor at the pitwall, Laurent Mekies.
Horner: "It’s a bit different now"
Throughout his time in charge, Horner often found himself at odds with corporate structures and rival executives, embracing the story of a private energy drink company challenging traditional automotive giants. Reflecting on the current organization, Horner believes that its unique edge has considerably softened.
"Red Bull has always been the unconventional team. It has pushed limits," Horner remarked. "Only Red Bull would dare enough to create a new engine as a branch of a soft drink company. Its philosophy was to be nonconformist, to be a disruptor. It’s a bit different now."
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing
This change mirrors the stark difference between Mateschitz’s hands-off, trust-based support of Horner and the more centralized, board-driven model Mintzlaff implemented following Mateschitz's passing in late 2022. With no singular leader managing both sporting and commercial functions with complete freedom, the team's identity has transformed from a nimble insurgent to a polished corporate entity.
Commentary on Mekies and the Verstappen influence
Horner’s critique sharpened further when he was questioned about the internal power dynamics currently in play within the team. When asked directly who truly holds authority today—Mekies, his former sporting director whom he brought into the Red Bull fold, or four-time champion Max Verstappen—Horner’s response was revealing.
"I'm not going to get pulled into that," Horner chuckled before providing a carefully measured non-endorsement. "In the end, Oliver Mintzlaff is the highest-ranking individual, and obviously, Max is a tremendous asset. I brought in Laurent, but I can't evaluate how he manages."
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal
By sidestepping Mekies’ authority on the pitwall to emphasize Mintzlaff’s corporate supremacy and Verstappen’s considerable influence, Horner’s remarks subtly underscore concerns that the current team principal lacks the unilateral decision-making power that Horner exercised for two decades.
The bittersweet victory of powertrains
Adding to the tension is Red Bull's recent technical revival. With Verstappen securing wins in Bahrain and Singapore in a car powered by the team's first entirely in-house engine, the outcomes of Horner’s last significant project are finally bearing fruit—without him in the garage.
Although Horner disclosed that Mintzlaff reached out to acknowledge his foundational contributions, the emotional impact remains raw.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
"I now maintain a decent relationship with Oliver Mintzlaff. He called recently to express his gratitude for everything I contributed to the engine," Horner acknowledged. However, he added: "I felt particularly hurt and deprived that I didn't have the chance to see that Powertrains engine achieve victory."
As Red Bull approaches the final stages of the 2026 season, engaged in a fierce battle to stay ahead of Ferrari and Mercedes, Horner’s perspective raises a lingering question in Milton Keynes: can a corporatized Red Bull maintain its championship supremacy without the fierce, disruptive spirit that originally forged it?
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