Motor racing-Red Bull extend F1 boss Mekies' contract through 2031


FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Bahrain Grand Prix - Sepang International Circuit, Sepang, Malaysia - October 1, 2026 Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain/File Photo

LONDON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Red ⁠Bull's Formula One boss Laurent Mekies will continue ⁠at the helm until at least the end of ‌2031 under a contract extension announced on Wednesday.

The Frenchman took over from ousted principal Christian Horner in July last year.

The extension comes after contract ​renewals for four-time world champion Max ⁠Verstappen and teammate Isack ⁠Hadjar, as well as key personnel, and offers the prospect of ⁠stability ‌for the coming seasons.

"Laurent has played a crucial role in guiding the team through an important ⁠period of transition while maintaining the competitive spirit ​and the Red ‌Bull principles that define us," said team shareholders Chalerm ⁠Yoovidhya and ​Mark Mateschitz in a statement.

"This extension reflects our confidence in his leadership and our shared belief in the long-term vision of ⁠the team. We are ambitious about ​what lies ahead and we are committed to building on this momentum together."

Verstappen has won the last two races, in Malaysia ⁠and Singapore, and will be going for a third in a row in Texas next week.

Red Bull are fourth overall but closing in on champions McLaren, with only seven points ​between them.

Verstappen is also fourth, after ⁠missing out on last year's title by two points, but ​in a tight battle with Mercedes' ‌George Russell and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton ​for the runner-up slot behind Mercedes' runaway championship leader Kimi Antonelli.

(Reporting by Alan BaldwinEditing by Toby Davis)

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