Red Bull Racing enters the Belgian Grand Prix with a fresh chapter ahead, as Laurent Mekies steps in as team principal, replacing Christian Horner after two decades at the helm. This marks the team’s first race without Horner, who led Red Bull to numerous titles, including Max Verstappen’s four consecutive world championships from 2021 to 2024.
Mekies, formerly of Racing Bulls and with experience at Ferrari and the FIA, now faces the challenge of stabilising a team that has recently fallen behind rivals in both driver and constructor standings. Despite Red Bull’s strong start to the season, recent performances have been less convincing, leaving Verstappen third in the championship and the team sitting fourth overall.
As Formula 1 resumes after a short break, the spotlight is firmly on Red Bull. The Belgian Grand Prix, set at the fast and historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, offers a chance to reset and regain momentum. Verstappen, born in Belgium, is aiming for his fourth career win at Spa and will be hoping the changes within the team translate into success on the track.
Meanwhile, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri leads the title race, with teammate Lando Norris closing in after back-to-back wins. Their intense intra-team battle adds further excitement to the season. Mercedes and Ferrari also look to make a statement, with Mercedes marking their 600th race as an engine supplier.
The Belgian Grand Prix weekend includes a sprint race on Saturday, providing another opportunity for teams to score valuable points. With a new leader on the pit wall and a key part of the season underway, all eyes will be on how Red Bull performs in this new era.
