P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Laurent Mekies’ engineering background has been hailed as Red Bull-Ford F1 collaboration inches towards a historic milestone.
Laurent Mekies’ engineering expertise has been praised by Ford Performance Director Mark Rushbrook as the Red Bull Formula 1 collaboration approaches a significant milestone. Following Christian Horner’s departure after two successful decades, Mekies took over as CEO and Team Principal at Red Bull mid-season last year. Under Mekies’ leadership, Red Bull saw a remarkable improvement on track, with Max Verstappen winning six out of the final 10 races in 2025. With the 2026 regulations overhaul, Red Bull aims to continue its success in the ground effects era, becoming a works team for the first time in partnership with Ford. Early tests at Barcelona-Catalunya have shown promising signs for Red Bull’s new power unit, with Mekies at the helm focusing on a strong start to the 2026 F1 season. Horner played a crucial role in initiating the Ford alliance before his departure, while Mekies’ engineering background is seen as a key asset in aligning the team for success.
