Bernie Ecclestone acknowledged the tremendous success Christian Horner achieved with Red Bull, noting that the two share a long-standing friendship that dates back to well before their time in Formula 1.

Mekies, who had been head of sister team Racing Bulls, brings vast experience to the role after he was hired to replace Horner as chief executive of Red Bull's F1 team. The timing of Horner's firing at least gives him a little bit of time to prepare, as he takes charge of his first race at the Belgian GP on July 27.

Red Bull sit fourth in the constructor standings in 2025, way off the pace set by leaders McLaren, while four-time reigning champion Max Verstappen is third among the drivers