Frenchman Laurent Mekies got down to work as Red Bull team principal on Thursday, a day after replacing Christian Horner, and recognised big challenges ahead for the once-dominant former champions.

Now Red Bull has confirmed that Laurent Mekies, formerly the Racing Director at Ferrari and the Team Principal at Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s junior team, is taking over for Horner.

A "new chapter" for Red Bull in Formula 1 begins at the Belgian Grand Prix, declares Helmut Marko, as the post-Christian Horner era begins.

Red Bull has lost several key figures across the past 18 months, most notably design legend Adrian Newey, Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley, and Chief Designer Rob Marshall. The sacking of Horner means that a fourth pillar of long-term success is gone.

Laurent Mekies certainly has big shoes to fill as he prepares to take over from departing Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. The Brit, who has held the role since the team’s formation in 2005, was sacked by Red Bull on Thursday morning, sending a shockwave across the world of Formula One.