Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has admitted that part of his outfit’s disadvantage this year has to do with 2025. The Austrian outfit has paid a price for the bold choice to develop last year’s car longer.
Red Bull’s 2026 season has not started as expected, with Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar facing balance issues that have made their RB22 car unpredictable. Verstappen struggled in China and Japan, unable to find a comfortable setup and baseline performance. The team is focused on analyzing and addressing the issues during the break before the Miami Grand Prix.
Red Bull aims to introduce a significant upgrade package for the Miami race to improve their performance and avoid sliding further towards the midfield. The current struggles contrast sharply with the team’s strong showing in Australia earlier in the season, hinting at underlying potential.
Team principal Laurent Mekies admitted that the current challenges stem from a developmental deficit caused by the team’s decision to continue refining the 2025 car late into the season. Despite falling short of the title last year, the team’s determination to solve the car’s issues showcases their unwavering fighting spirit and commitment to improvement.
