{
  "id": 14493586,
  "title": "Red Bull F1 boss Mekies gets new deal to 2031",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/red-bull-f1-boss-mekies-gets-new-deal-to-2031",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-14T17:02:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport",
    "slug": "bbc-sport",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/c84g1rxr0dpno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has signed a new contract extension, committing to lead the team until the end of 2031. Mekies replaced Christian Horner in 2025 after serving as team principal for nearly two decades. Following a challenging start to the 2026 season, Red Bull's performance has significantly improved, with Max Verstappen securing dominant victories in the recent races in Malaysia and Singapore.\n\nThe extension of Mekies' contract reflects the confidence of the team's main shareholders, Thai Chalerm Yoovidhya and Austrian Mark Mateschitz. In a statement, they expressed their belief in Mekies' leadership and their shared long-term vision for the team, emphasizing their ambition for the future.\n\nThe move to extend Mekies' contract comes shortly after Max Verstappen renewed his own contract with Red Bull for an additional two years until the end of 2030. Verstappen's victory came following Horner's interview with the Times, where he criticized Red Bull for losing its competitive edge.\n\nOliver Mintzlaff, responsible for the Red Bull F1 programme as CEO of corporate projects and investments, praised Mekies' leadership. Mintzlaff highlighted Mekies' technical expertise, strategic thinking, and understanding of what makes the team successful, emphasizing the importance of embodying the Red Bull values of courage, teamwork, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.\n\nMekies himself expressed his pride in continuing his journey with Red Bull Racing and thanked the shareholders, the entire team, and everyone involved for the trust placed in him. He acknowledged the special nature of the team, where everyone comes together in pursuit of a common goal, and expressed his privilege in working alongside such a talented and committed group of individuals.",
  "summary": "Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies, who replaced Christian Horner at the F1 team, has his contract extended until the end of 2031.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "SB Nation",
        "title": "Red Bull F1 and Laurent Mekies announce contract extension",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/red-bull-f1-and-laurent-mekies-announce-contract-extension",
        "published": "2026-10-14T16:29:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Motorsport.com",
        "title": "Laurent Mekies extends contract as Red Bull's F1 team boss",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/laurent-mekies-extends-contract-as-red-bulls-f1-team-boss",
        "published": "2026-10-14T16:35:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Red Bull F1 boss Mekies gets new deal to 2031",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/red-bull-f1-boss-mekies-gets-new-deal-to-2031-14493954",
        "published": "2026-10-14T17:02:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}