Mekies warns of big challenges as he starts work at Red Bull

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Formula One F1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria - June 27, 2025 RB team principal Laurent Mekies during the press conference REUTERS/Gintare Karpaviciute/File Photo

LONDON - Frenchman Laurent Mekies got down to work as Red Bull team principal on Thursday, a day after replacing Christian Horner, and recognised big challenges ahead for the once-dominant former champions.

The Formula One team released a video interview after a filming day with the current RB21 car at Silverstone, with Mekies meeting staff and doing plenty of hand-shaking.

Horner, who had been in position for 20 years during which time Red Bull won eight drivers titles and six constructors championships, was fired on Wednesday.

I still look at these guys as most people outside of the team look at them... we see the very best people in the world at what they do, Mekies said in a Q+A put together by the Red Bull press office.

Its a privilege to join the team... the focus will really be at making sure that all the talented people here have what they need to perform at their best because they are already the very best, he added.

We are not underestimating the challenge ahead. Formula One is going to face probably the biggest challenge of regulation in its history... so its going to be an incredible challenge and we will need everyone.

Red Bull are building their own power unit for 2026 when they will take on major