Horner has been replaced as team principal by 48-year-old French engineer Laurent Mekies, whose technical expertise means a “different direction” looks inevitable for Max Verstappen’s outfit

Horner’s axing, a couple of days after the British Grand Prix earlier this month, brought down the curtain on his 20-year rule as Team Principal, having been appointed ahead of Red Bull’s entrance in 2005. Horner has been replaced by Laurent Mekies, who makes the step up to Red Bull’s senior team after 18 months as Racing Bulls’ team principal.

Isack Hadjar reacted on Thursday to Laurent Mekies' promotion from Racing Bulls boss to Red Bull as replacement for Christian Horner by saying it could be "useful" for his own Formula One prospects. T