WHOSE WIN IS IT ANYWAY?

Image: Laurent Mekies (Photo credit: Mark Thompson - Motorsport.com)

When Laurent Mekies replaced Christian Horner at Red Bull in July 2025, the narrative wrote itself quickly. New boss arrives, Verstappen wins six of the final nine races, team almost steals the championship. Mekies looked like the steadying hand the team desperately needed.

But it is worth asking the question honestly: how much of that turnaround was actually his? The crucial upgrades that transformed Red Bull's car from mid-season were added at the Italian Grand Prix in September, planned and developed long before Mekies arrived. Guenther Steiner put it plainly: "Sure, Mekies has brought calm after the Horner turmoil, but the car's performance was certainly there before, because Laurent can't make a car fast in two weeks."

The real test was always going to be 2026, where Mekies would be building from scratch under new regulations, without Horner's groundwork to lean on. And so far, the answer has not been encouraging. Red Bull have scored just 16 points across the first three rounds, their worst start to a season under the current points system, and there are growing internal doubts over whether the team is in a better or worse position after Horner's sacking.

Verstappen's frustrations are being attributed to the regulations. And yes, the cars are genuinely difficult. But at some point the regulations are the same for everyone, and the question stops being about the rules and starts being about a team's ability to adapt. Right now, Red Bull are not adapting. And that sits squarely on Mekies' desk.