Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Formula 1, Red Bull Racing
Nasir Jabbar
New Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has opened up on replacing Christian Horner as he has spoken for the first time since landing the role.
Horner was relieved of his duties at Red Bull this week, having been in charge since they joined the grid in 2005, leading them to six drivers and eight constructors' titles.
His sacking brings an end to his 20-year spell with Red Bull, with the 51-year-old tipped for a shock new role that would send shockwaves through Formula 1.
Mekies, who was Racing Bulls boss, is tasked with leading Red Bull into a new era as he becomes just their second team principal.
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The Frenchman, 48, said 'it feels unreal' to be at Red Bull but made a major admission about Horner.
"It still feels a bit unreal to be here and not to see him," he told Sky Sports.
"It would be impossible to underestimate the size of the achievement this team has had under 20 years of Christian's leadership.
"I met him 20 years ago when he was the youngest team principal in F1 and it's unbelievable to see how he's turned this place to the level it is now.
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"That journey, the many titles and wins. Christian is also the guy, with Helmut [Marko] and Oliver {Mintzlaff] that brought me back to the Red Bull family two years ago. All the first thoughts are with him today."
Mekies also referenced Red Bull creating their own engine for next year's regulation change, adding: "I look at this team as most outside look at them, we see the very best people in the world at what they do.
"That's what this team is, even from being a competitor previously you look at Red Bull Racing as being the sharpest team, having managed to accumulate the best talent to work together.
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"It is a privilege to join the team and the focus will be on making sure all the talented people here have what they need to perform at their best, because they are already the very best.
"We will be focussing on that and making sure the Red Bull energy is flowing through the team. We are not underestimating the challenge ahead, we will need everybody and we will go about it together and I am sure with everyone's contributions we will tackle this challenge."