Belgian Grand Prix: Redd Bull focused on retaining Max Verstappen, says Laurent Mekies

Mekies’ appointment comes after a tumultuous 18-month period at Red Bull that started with Horner being accused of sexual harassment and coercive controlling behaviour by a female employee.

Two internal investigations dismissed the allegations against Horner, who has always denied the claims.

This was followed by the departures of chief technical officer Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, and the resignation of head of strategy Will Courtenay, who has signed for McLaren but is being held to his contract by Red Bull for the time being.

“You do not see witnesses,” Mekies said. “You see a lot of desire from everyone to get that Red Bull energy, to perhaps to reduce the noise outside, just to concentrate on racing. That’s what you see and that’s what we are going to try to do together.”

Mekies said he had not experienced any negativity from Red Bull staff in the wake of the departure of their boss of 20 years.

“Everybody has been incredibly supportive,” he said. “Willing to open the door, willing to speak, to listen, what were the limitations, what were the strengths, how do we go next about going back to the racetrack and fighting at an even higher level tomorrow? That’s what I hope.”

And he said Horner, who was instrumental in Mekies being take on for his previous role as boss of Red Bull’s second team, had been “nothing else than supportive, which is very impressive in the context”.

Wheatley, who was attending the same news conference as Mekies in his role as team principal of Sauber/Audi, said: “Laurent is an incredibly impressive person. He’s been a friend of mine for a really long time and he has a wonderful way of managing people.

“The team principal’s role is very much to motivate the team, to put the right people in the right positions and give them the best opportunities and the tools they need to do the job. I have no doubt whatsoever that Laurent is going to excel in that particular regard.”