The former Red Bull director is surprised by how the competitive scenario can shift so quickly in Formula One.

Most notable, though, is the partnership between Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls. Both teams are owned by the Red Bull parent company, and the Faenza-based sister team essentially operates as a feeder squad, setting drivers up for promotion to the senior organisation.

The days of the Red Bull team principal arriving at a press conference with printed evidence to argue Max Verstappen’s case are over, according to Jolyon Palmer. That’s because new team boss Laurent Mekies is likely to bring a more “pragmatic” approach than the “all guns blazing attack” that his predecessor Christian Horner would launch.

The Belgian Grand Prix will be Laurent Mekies' first race as a Red Bull Racing CEO and team principal after Christian Horner's exit.

Sainz begans his F1 career with Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso (now VCARB) in 2015, paired alongside Max Verstappen in what quickly became one of the sport’s fiercest rookie rivalries. Although their relationship as teammates was intense, Sainz insisted it was a “healthy rivalry” and that it has significantly improved since.

Formula 1 is back after a mini break, as the second half of the 2025 season begins with the Belgian Grand Prix; watch every session of the Sprint weekend in Belgium, starting with Practice at 11.30am and Sprint Qualifying at 3.

Liam Lawson was demoted from Red Bull Racing down to junior team Racing Bulls just two races into the 2025 Formula 1 season with Christian Horner claiming the Kiwi had crumbled under the pressure

Red Bull's 2026 performance has come under scrutiny following Christian Horner's exit, potentially leaving Max Verstappen in a dilemma.

Red Bull has replaced Christian Horner with a long-time F1 engineer, who is already calling on his experience as he meets his new team