McLaren Racing's chief executive Zak Brown has expressed relief that Formula 1's political climate has become more constructive since Laurent Mekies assumed control at Red Bull Racing, succeeding Christian Horner who departed after two decades at the helm.
The American executive believes the sport has entered a "healthier" era following Horner's exit three days after July's British Grand Prix, when he was "released from operational duties" amid performance struggles and controversy.
"I'm happy he's in the role he's in," Brown told The Race about Mekies. "I like Laurent, and I think that'll be healthy, and maybe we can get back to focusing on competition on the track."
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The McLaren boss suggested the previous dynamic between the two teams had become problematic, acknowledging that political tensions had exceeded acceptable limits.
Red Bull confirmed that Laurent Mekies will take Christian Horner's role
| GettyMekies, who previously led the Racing Bulls team, was confirmed as Horner's successor in July following the Englishman's abrupt departure from the organisation he had guided for 20 years.
The 51-year-old Horner had weathered allegations of coercive conduct towards a female employee earlier in the year, though two KC-led investigations cleared him of wrongdoing.
Brown, reflecting on the transformed relationship between McLaren and Red Bull, confessed that previous tensions had "gone too far" during his dealings with Horner.
Zak Brown and Christian Horner have had their differences over the years | Getty"While there's always going to be some political aspects to the sport, I think it's going to be healthier with Laurent," Brown admitted.
The McLaren chief executive praised Mekies as someone he had "known for a long time" and anticipated improved relations between the rival teams.
Brown openly acknowledged that the antagonism between himself and Horner had breached professional standards, particularly regarding what McLaren characterised as baseless claims about their vehicle's compliance.
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"There's always going to be politicking, and let's try and shut down their flexi wings and that stuff," he said.
"But when you start getting into frivolous allegations, I think that's just going too far.
"If I look up and down pitlane now, I see us fighting each other hard politically, but there being a line that's not crossed," Brown explained. "I think that line got crossed before, and I think it was unhealthy."
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McLaren boss Zak Brown has admitted the relationship with Christian Horner was 'unhealthy' and 'went too far'
| GettyMekies has already begun establishing more collaborative relationships across the paddock, conducting diplomatic discussions with Brown during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend.
The new Red Bull chief outlined his philosophy regarding inter-team relations, emphasising the importance of constructive dialogue despite competitive rivalries.
"Competition on track is one thing. Having discussions together to define the positions on the future of the sport, on key strategic decisions that we need to make as a sport for the future, is something that is normal to do between competitors," Mekies explained.
He acknowledged maintaining positive relationships with multiple team principals, including Mercedes' Toto Wolff and Ferrari's Fred Vasseur, whilst recognising the need to balance individual team interests with collective progress.
"We don't hide our bias, but we try to be constructive about how to go about it," Mekies stated.