BUDAPEST, Hungary — McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown believes the political battles in Formula One will be “healthier” with Laurent Mekies in charge of Red Bull instead of Christian Horner. Horner was dismissed as Red Bull team principal after more than 20 years in charge following last month’s British Grand Prix, coming as a shock to the F1 paddock.

Regardless of the reasons for their drop off in performance, Red Bull’s current pace is unacceptable and Hungary must feel like a low point in Verstappen's career, one Horner would never have envisioned for his team.

Heading into the Belgian GP, Red Bull is 288 points behind Constructors' Championship leader McLaren, and Verstappen's dreams of scoring a fifth successive Drivers' Championship crown are hanging by a thread. With a critical regulation change incoming for the 2026 season, Red Bull's status as an F1 powerhouse is under significant threat.