Red Bull announced on Wednesday the departure of team boss Christian Horner, who led the team for 20 years. Laurent Mekies will take over his role. In Formula 1’s early days, team bosses were usually the founders of the constructor, like Bruce McLaren or Frank Williams.
Nowadays, team principal roles are more transient, with the longest-serving boss having been in the position for around 12 years. The current 10 team principals in F1 are responsible for the day-to-day operations and overall performance of their teams. They serve as the public face of the team and represent their interests in meetings with governing bodies and other teams.
Team principals are hired employees and do not have the same all-encompassing roles as in the past. They focus on managing people, creating a winning environment, and making crucial decisions for the team’s success. Delegation and strategic decision-making are essential aspects of their jobs in the complex and competitive world of F1.
