New Red Bull CEO Mekies makes admission over sacked Horner

08:02, 11 Jul

Updated: 08:47, 11 Jul

byTobia Elia

The new Red Bull CEO and team principal, Laurent Mekies, who was promoted just a few days ago, spoke warmly of Christian Horner, admitting that it feels quite strange not to see him around the team anymore.

The news of Christian Horner’s dismissal hit the Red Bull ecosystem like a bolt from the blue, with the Leamington Spa manager no longer holding the position of CEO and team principal for the team he helped build and lead to become one of the most successful in Formula 1 history.

Laurent Mekies has been called upon to take up the heavy mantle. He brings extensive experience gained over the years at Toro Rosso, the FIA, and Ferrari, and is coming off his first stint as a team principal with Racing Bulls.

The French manager made his first appearance and met the team yesterday at Silverstone during a filming day, also delivering his first public remarks to the media following his promotion.

Mekies shares words of respect for Horner

Speaking to Sky Sports, Mekies admitted that it feels strange not to see the man who made Red Bull great in the sport anymore: ''It still feels a bit unreal to be here and not to see him. It would be impossible to underestimate the size of the achievement that this team has had under 20 years of Christian leadership.''

''He was the youngest team principal in Formula 1, and it's unbelievable to see how he has turned this place to the level at which it is now, and in that journey, the many, many titles and wins.''

''Christian is also the guy that, together with Helmut (Marko) and Oliver (Mintzlaff), brought me back into the Red Bull family two years ago. And all the first thoughts are really for him today.''

Speaking instead about the future direction of the Milton Keynes team, the Frenchman added: ''The next step... what you cannot wait to do is to meet the people.''

''Obviously it's been not even a day now so I just can't wait to meet as many people as possible from this incredible team you know you to discover the magic. You want to meet the guys and the girls that are doing the magic behind the scenes.''

''And that's what the next few weeks will be dedicated to, you know, to try to meet as many of our people as possible, to listen to them, to try to understand to listen to them, to try to understand this beautiful magic machine that is Red Bull.''