Latest Christian Horner role filled following Red Bull axe

The axing of Christian Horner as team principal and CEO after 20 years with Red Bull following the British Grand Prix in July was a bombshell that sent shockwaves through the sport.

As part of a major restructuring, Laurent Mekies was promoted from his team principal position with Racing Bulls into Horner's roles with Red Bull Racing.

For a period of time thereafter, Horner retained his positions as a director with Red Bull Racing Ltd, Red Bull Technology Ltd, Red Bull Advanced Technologies Ltd, and Red Bull Powertrains Ltd.

On August 12, public records filed with Companies House, which oversees the registration and regulation of all companies in the UK, show that across all four of the aforementioned Red Bull companies, Horner was terminated as a director, severing his ties.

As of August 28, Mekies has now filled one of those roles, as a director of Red Bull Technology Ltd.

That choice fits the picture recently painted by advisor Helmut Marko. Whereas Horner oversaw all of the companies, Red Bull is creating a structure that allows Mekies to focus exclusively on the race team and the technology aspect of it.

The Frenchman previously worked as an engineer and therefore brings valuable technical experience with him.

Mekies has only overseen the F1 team for two grands prix, but four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen has already noticed a clear difference.

Speaking to the media, including RacingNews365, ahead of this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen said: "He joined quickly, had two weeks, and then we had a break again. It's not that a lot of things are suddenly changing.

"But I like the approach he's having, and it seems like everyone is very positive about the mood in the team, when I see people walk around and when we’re talking. We just need to keep that going.

"It's not like, when you put someone in charge, that in two weeks or two months, things can drastically change. It takes time."