Red Bull announced today that team boss Christian Horner has been relieved of his duties after 20 years at the helm of the reigning constructors’ champions. Laurent Mekies is set to fill Horner’s shoes, leading to a overview of team principals on the F1 grid and how the role has evolved. In the early days, team bosses like Bruce McLaren and Frank Williams founded and led their teams to success for decades.
Currently, team principals in F1 are responsible for the day-to-day operations of their teams. In the earlier days of F1, they often wore multiple hats, including designing cars or even driving. Today, they are typically hired employees rather than owner-founders. This reflects the reality that F1 teams are no longer standalone entities but part of larger organisations.
Team principals are the public face of the team, representing them in press interviews and with governing bodies. They are diplomatic and skilled in people management, shaping a winning environment within the team. Delegating tasks effectively and making strategic decisions are crucial aspects of their roles. Overall, F1 team principals have evolved from being owner-founders to strategic leaders ensuring their teams’ success on and off the track.
