Red Bull entered the year with an altered management set-up following the dismissal of Christian Horner last year.
Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok has observed that Red Bull is feeling like a “different team” this year with Christian Horner no longer leading the team. Horner was removed from his role as team principal in the middle of the 2025 season and was succeeded by Laurent Mekies. Mekies, who previously held the team boss position at Racing Bulls, is now steering the senior squad through a new era governed by fresh technical regulations. Red Bull also made the decision to elevate Isack Hadjar to the second race seat this season, reuniting him with his compatriot. Chandhok mentioned that working with Mekies again is likely boosting Hadjar’s confidence for his debut Red Bull campaign in what he perceives as a less high-pressure setting with Horner and Marko out of the picture. Despite Red Bull’s historical penchant for swift line-up changes alongside star driver Max Verstappen, the team is now seeking a supportive dynamic with Hadjar, who has shown promise in adapting to the challenging season. Chandhok praised Hadjar’s performance and emphasized the importance of his consistency in being close to Verstappen’s pace to capitalize on any opportunity that may arise during races.
