Horner called new Red Bull boss Mekies immediately after being sacked

Speaking candidly to the media, Mekies acknowledged both the immense legacy Horner leaves behind and the personal support he’s continued to offer, even amid a turbulent context.

“He has been nothing else than supportive, even in the extremely difficult context for him,” Mekies said. “He was the first one to text, the first one to call. We texted each other again this morning or yesterday. It’s very impressive in the context.”

There’s a deep respect in Mekies’ words—respect not just for the man who led Red Bull to multiple championships, but for someone who remains present and gracious in the face of professional upheaval. Mekies is acutely aware that Horner’s role extended far beyond strategy calls and pit wall decisions; it was about presence, personality, and charisma—traits that can’t be replaced overnight, or perhaps at all.

“Nobody is going to replace his character. Nobody is going to replace him like for like,” he said.

Rather than attempt a carbon copy of Horner’s leadership, Mekies is focusing on a forward-thinking, collaborative model. He’s not here to be the next Horner—he’s here to be the first Mekies, with a clear vision for the team’s structure and evolution.

“I come in to do the CEO and the Team Principal job,” he stated. “Is there any way one can do it in the same way? No, or at least certainly not me. But we'll be relying on the incredible strengths that there is in this team.”

With a clear nod to the strength-in-depth at Red Bull, Mekies framed this transition not as a setback, but as a strategic opportunity. He emphasized empowerment and collective leadership—leveraging the vast reservoir of talent within the team to navigate both the current season and the looming 2026 regulation overhaul.

Mekies’ words strike a tone that is at once respectful of the past and ambitious about the future. In replacing a titan like Horner, he avoids bravado and instead leans into humility, unity, and process. Whether Red Bull can maintain its dominance under this new regime remains to be seen, but if Mekies’ early approach is any indicator, the team is in steady, strategically-minded hands.