Crimson Bull group principal Laurent Mekies says Christian Horner cannot be changed similarly to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
Horner was surprisingly sacked after over 20 years accountable for Crimson Bull because the group start a brand new period with out the customarily punchy and outspoken group boss, who led them to eight drivers and 6 constructors’ titles.
Ferguson is considered one of many best soccer managers of all-time and turned Manchester United from a mid-table group to serial winners.
Requested by Sky Sports activities F1 if Crimson Bull with out Horner is like Manchester United shedding Ferguson, Mekies mentioned: “Nobody can replace Sir Alex and nobody can replace Christian.
“We’re all completely different. I believe what issues essentially the most is that the group is unbelievable.
“What we want to do is get to understand well this group as much as one can, and create together the next small or big competitive advantage that we’ll need to add up if we want to be back to fighting for wins and championships.”
Mekies needed to take into account Crimson Bull supply for a ‘few hours’
Mekies, who was group principal at Racing Bulls, says he was requested to exchange Horner a “few hours” earlier than Crimson Bull introduced the sacking of the 51-year-old.
The Frenchman acquired a name from Crimson Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff and advisor Helmut Marko when he was in Racing Bulls’ UK manufacturing facility.
“It came out of the blue at that moment for me. I had to think [about] it for a few hours,” he mentioned.
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Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda reveal that the previous Crimson Bull group principal, Christian Horner, has been in touch with them forward of the Belgian GP
“It was difficult to digest but then the first thing that comes to your mind is ‘wait a second, it’s Red Bull, they are calling you and asking you to step into that job’.
“With the whole lot Crimson Bull brings – its power, spirit and the way they go racing – you choose up the cellphone and go ‘after all, it is an honour and privilege’.”
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Sky Sports activities F1’s Martin Brundle and Naomi Schiff talk about the departure of former Crimson Bull group principal Christian Horner
Mekies started his F1 profession on the Arrows group within the early 2000s earlier than switching to Minardi, which was purchased by Crimson Bull on the finish of 2005 and rebranded as Toro Rosso.
He joined the FIA as security director in 2014, taking part in a key position within the introduction of the halo, and deputy race director in 2017, then made the swap to Ferrari in 2018 as sporting director, and later deputy group principal, earlier than returning to the Crimson Bull household firstly of 2024 as group principal at Racing Bulls.
Mekies says Horner has been “extremely supportive” with him within the final two years and has messaged him over the past two weeks.
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Relive the highs and lows Christian Horner’s time as Crimson Bull group principal, with the Brit having lately been relieved of his place
“He has been nothing else but supportive, even in the extremely difficult context for him,” he mentioned.
“He was the first one to text, the first one to call [after the news]. Even this morning we messaged each other again.
“Is there any approach, somebody can do the identical with Christian? No, or at the very least, definitely not me. However we’ll depend on the unimaginable strengths that there’s on this group.”
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Following his sacking after 20 years as group principal, Christian Horner gave an emotional goodbye to the Crimson Bull workers and says it was the largest privilege of his life
Mekies supplies a change for Crimson Bull
Sky Sports activities’ Nigel Chiu at Spa Francorchamps:
“Laurent Mekies came into the press conference room with a beaming smile and shook the hands of journalists on the front row of the grid, before sharing a joke with Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft – keep an eye out for that on Netflix’s Drive to Survive.
“He didn’t give an excessive amount of away about targets or the subject of Max Verstappen, merely stating Crimson Bull simply desire a aggressive automotive.
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Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar share their ideas on Christian Horner’s sacking from Crimson Bull and the way Laurent Mekies will do in cost on the senior group
“Several times, he referenced the people of the Red Bull team and how ‘incredible’ they are – a theme that Racing Bulls drivers Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson also attributed to the experienced Mekies.
“He has an engineering background, one thing the likes of McLaren, Williams and Haas have lately moved in the direction of and Crimson Bull have additionally moved in that course beneath Mekies.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s dwell Belgian GP schedule
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Look again at a few of the most dramatic moments all through the years on the Belgian Grand Prix
Saturday July 26
8.10am: F3 Dash
10am: Belgian GP Dash (lights out at 11am)
12.20pm: Ted’s Dash Pocket book
12.40pm: F2 Dash
2pm: Belgian GP Qualifying (session begins at 3pm)
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday July 27
7.25am: F3 Characteristic Race
8.55am: F2 Characteristic Race
10.40am: Porsche Supercup Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Belgian GP build-up*
2pm: THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Chequered flag: Belgian GP response*
5pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*additionally dwell on Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion
The 2025 Components 1 season resumes this weekend with the Belgian Grand Prix because the Dash format returns, dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime.
