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Find out who the 11 team principals are for the 2026 F1 season, including for Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari and new teams Audi and Cadillac.
In 2026, out of the 11 F1 teams, only 10 have officially designated team principals. RacingNews365 provides insights on the individuals leading each team, including newcomers Cadillac and Audi, as F1 enters a new era. Should any changes occur in team leadership during the season, the article will be promptly updated.
Andrea Stella from Orvieto, Italy, born on February 22, 1971, assumed the role of team principal for McLaren on December 13, 2022. Stella’s journey with McLaren began in 2015 as head of race operations, culminating in McLaren’s resurgence with a constructors’ championship in 2024 and Lando Norris winning the drivers’ title in 2025. He succeeded Andreas Seidl who departed for Audi, marking a significant milestone for McLaren.
Toto Wolff, born on January 12, 1972, in Vienna, Austria, has been at the helm of Mercedes since 2013. Beginning his F1 tenure with Williams, Wolff transitioned to Mercedes in 2013, eventually leading the team to a dominant performance in the turbo hybrid era. Despite challenges in recent years, Wolff aims to steer Mercedes back to championship contention in the evolving F1 landscape.
Laurent Mekies, born on April 28, 1977, in Tours, France, took on the role of team principal for Red Bull Racing in July 2025. With a diverse background in F1, Mekies’ journey includes stints at teams like Arrows and Ferrari, eventually landing him the leadership position at Red Bull Racing. His strategic guidance has seen the team achieve notable successes, especially with the rise of driver Max Verstappen under his leadership.
