Red Bull, don't grieve for Horner! His replacement 'is the right guy!'

14:32, 18 Jul

Updated: 15:46, 18 Jul

byLudo van Denderen

With the Formula 1 summer break fast approaching, all eyes are on Max Verstappen. It could be the moment he decides his future, will he stay with Red Bull Racing or make a shock move to Mercedes?

Whatever it turns out to be, Jaime Alguersuari - former Toro Rosso driver (and thus from the Red Bull family) believes that Max Verstappen won't be with Red Bull for much longer.

'Mekies the right team principal for Red Bull'

This development would be a major blow for Laurent Mekies, who recently took over as team principal following Christian Horner’s dismissal.

Despite this, the former Formula 1 driver expresses strong confidence in Mekies, with whom he worked during their time together at Toro Rosso.

'Laurent Mekies is the Right Man for Red Bull'

“He has a lot of experience, has done an amazing job. He can handle the challenge. He is the right person, even though it will be tough. Next year will be the year of the power unit, that could make the difference [in Formula 1] first.”

Red Bull is coming with a self-developed engine with Ford in 2026, which will certainly bring its own set of challenges. Nonetheless, Mekies will not be rattled, Alguersuari believes.

“He is chilled, easy to work with, and easy to have a conversation with. Which is so good, unlike Helmut Marko.

“His patterns make you feel confident, it makes you trust in the team and the people around you. When you talk to him, even if you are not working with him, you feel his energy of confidence,” the Spaniard praised the new Red Bull team principal.