Red Bull 'culture change' predicted with Christian Horner 'all guns blazing' era over

Jolyon Palmer believes Laurent Mekies could usher in a "culture change" at Red Bull following the ousting of the Milton Keynes squad's original team principal, Christian Horner.

The Briton was at the helm of the six-time constructors' champions since it entered F1 in 2005 until the days following this season's British Grand Prix.

His departure sent shockwaves through the paddock, with Mekies promoted from the same position at junior outfit Racing Bulls to lead the team, which appeared to be in a state of steady decline under Horner.

That has left the energy drink-backed team at serious risk of losing Max Verstappen. The Dutchman is increasingly being linked to a move to Mercedes, and Mekies' number one priority will be shoring up the future of the four-time F1 drivers' champion, who is contracted to the team until 2028.

However, Palmer feels there could be considerable change in the leadership style at Red Bull. The former Renault driver highlighted how Horner led the team with an "all guns blazing" style of attack, something he mused could be replaced with a more "pragmatic" approach under Mekies.

Hosting the F1 Nation podcast, Tom Clarkson brought up the differences between the two, arguing the Frenchman is "more guarded" than his predecessor. 

"He's a very different personality to Christian Horner, so I'm going to be fascinated to see how the team reacts to him," he said.

"I think he's more gentle than Christian Horner. You know, Horner's only line of defence was always attack, wasn't it? Whereas I think Laurent's a little bit more guarded."

Palmer responded by pointing out how the team could differ under Mekies, wagering that a shift in dynamics could take place.

"I wonder, with the different personalities between Christian and Laurent, if there's going to be a bit of a culture change at Red Bull," the 34-year-old suggested.

"Because of exactly what you said, actually, the attacking nature of Christian Horner," he added in response to Clarkson. "He was always bullish, always wanting to hit back if he was ever on the back foot.

"Remember all those bits of paper that we saw whenever there was a stewards' decision that went against him or Verstappen?

"So I wonder if that will change, and it will be a bit more of a pragmatic race team, maybe, and not necessarily, all guns blazing attack in favour of Max.

"But we will see, because we really don't know what Laurent Mekies is going to be like in this situation."