Formula 1 lives moments of great agitation after the recent events that involve Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner, Laurent Mekies and the young Argentine pilot Franco Colapinto. The unexpected departure of Horner as head of the Austrian team, after two decades of successes, has generated a significant impact on the paddock. His leadership led Red Bull to conquer eight world titles of pilots and six builders, with names such as Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen shining under his direction. However, the disappointing results of the team in the 2025 season, added to internal tensions and rumors about a possible Verstappen march to Mercedes, precipitated their dismissal. Laurent Mekies, until now Racing Bulls head, has been announced as its replacement, assuming a monumental challenge in a team that crosses a sports and structural crisis.
Mekies, a French engineer with vast experience in Formula 1, arrives with a solid history. His career includes key roles in Toro Rosso, Ferrari and La FIA, where he stood out as Security Director. His appointment represents a commitment to technical continuity, but also for a renewal in team management. Red Bull faces significant challenges: the transition to a new engine with Ford by 2026, the loss of key personnel such as Adrian Newey and the need to stabilize the alignment of pilots. In this context, the name of Franco Colapinto has emerged strongly as a potential candidate for a seat on Red Bull or in his satellite team, Racing Bulls.
Colapinto, 21, has impressed in his debut with Williams, capturing the attention of Red Bull managers. Before Horner’s departure, the British had already shown interest in the Argentine, meeting James Vowles, head of Williams, to negotiate a possible signing. The conversations pointed out that Colapinto replaced Sergio Pérez or joined Racing Bulls with Yuki Tsunoda. Mekies, now in command, could continue this line, since the talent of Colapint and its commercial potential in Latin America makes it an attractive option. However, Helmut Marko, an advisor to Red Bull, seems to prefer Liam Lawson to accompany Verstappen, which could relegate Colapint to the secondary team.
The arrival of Mekies raises questions about the course of Red Bull. Your technical experience and your ability to lead multidisciplinary teams will be crucial to recover lost domain. Meanwhile, the future of Verstappen, whose contract extends until 2028, remains a hot topic. The rumors of a possible transfer to Mercedes persist, fed by the exit of Horner and the instability of the team. In this scenario, Colapinto represents a hope for the future, but its destiny will depend on the strategic decisions of Mekies and the Red Bull dome. Formula 1, as always, promises unexpected emotions and twists in the coming weeks.
