Ralf Schumacher backs Red Bull decision to replace Christian Horner: "Mood is completely different"

Ralf Schumacher has praised Red Bull's decision to appoint Laurent Mekies as team principal, suggesting the leadership change has improved team morale and stability

Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has backed the decision to promote Laurent Mekies to Red Bull Racing CEO and team principal and has claimed that the "mood is completely different" following the changes.

The Milton Keynes outfit announced on 9 July that Christian Horner had been replaced in the role with immediate effect after 20 years with the team. Although the timing of the news came as a shock, it followed performance issues with the RB21 and a string of high-profile exits, such as Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley.

Schumacher discussed the changes on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, explaining that the mood in the team had been affected by "internal problems with politics" before Horner's exit.

“I think Red Bull made an extremely good move. In this case, Oliver Mintzlaff and [Mark] Mateschitz by now putting Mekies in this position.

“That did something for the team. Within a short period of time, one hears that the mood is completely different, the approach is different, and one must not forget that Max Verstappen has never been in a different team in his career.

“He has everything to thank Red Bull for. So, he’s not making it easy for himself, and maybe he doesn’t even really want to leave. I can imagine, if everything is fine here, why should he leave? I don’t think that’s quite what he wanted.

“It just led to the car not working as well as it should. There were internal problems with politics, and suddenly the mood wasn’t so good.

Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing CEO

Photo by: Michael Potts / LAT Images via Getty Images

“So, from that point of view, I think it’s actually very, very open again. Such a development can happen quickly, and this feel-good factor for a driver is important. And this team is completely behind him.”

Verstappen had been linked to a move to Mercedes after team chief Toto Wolff confirmed he was in talks with the Dutchman. But Wolff has since admitted that the likelihood of Verstappen joining the team was low and explained that his priority is now George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.