Red Bull’s Laurent Mekies faces criticism after ‘not his role’ comment

Laurent Mekies, Red Bull’s team principal since July 2023, was criticised after former driver Ralf Schumacher said, “I like Laurent, but that’s not his role.” The comment comes as the 2026 car is heavy and nervous, and senior staff like Lambiase and Newey’s involvement are waning.

Why it matters:

• A car that struggles on pace threatens Red Bull’s bid for the drivers’ championship and could hand the lead to rivals such as Ferrari or McLaren.
• Departures risk eroding the technical expertise that has powered Red Bull’s decade‑long dominance, making a swift turnaround unlikely.

The details:

• Schumacher praised Mekies’ talent‑scouting but said the Frenchman fits recruiting better than the day‑to‑day pressures of a team principal.
• Early testing flagged excess weight and a jittery chassis that even Max Verstappen struggles to tame, prompting a redesign.
• Lambiase confirmed his move to McLaren for 2027; Newey’s focus has dimmed and aerodynamic chief Wheatley is also rumored to leave, raising continuity concerns.

What’s next:

• Mekies will reshuffle engineering, promoting trusted lieutenants and adding younger talent to rebuild the car’s fundamentals.
• Red Bull may accept a short‑term points dip for a chassis overhaul, targeting a stronger 2027 platform and a return to the top.