Although Red Bull did not secure a fresh world championship in the 2025 Formula 1 season, it will still be noted for Max Verstappen’s extraordinary recovery.
The Dutch driver commented in Abu Dhabi that his sensation was superior to that of a year prior. This might seem unexpected, considering his world champion status at that time, but he had already detected issues emerging within Red Bull – a pattern that persisted through the initial six months of 2025. Verstappen observed this during winter testing in Bahrain, recognizing that the primary flaws of the RB20 lingered in the subsequent model.
Red Bull managed to reverse its fortunes solely following the summer recess. This coincided with extending development on their 2025 competitor beyond that of most other teams, yet during an exclusive year-end discussion, team principal Laurent Mekies asserted this was the sole appropriate decision.
Allocating ongoing effort to the RB21 consumed time that could have been dedicated to the 2026 initiative; however, considering the squad’s circumstances, Mekies stated that superior options were absent.
“It grew quite clear to us that we couldn’t just move on and optimistically believe that even though the 2025 vehicle wasn’t competitive enough for a championship challenge, we’d somehow be fine in 2026. We chose not to pursue that path,” clarified the French executive.
Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Team Principal
Photo by: Erik Junius
“Our intention was to thoroughly investigate the 2025 initiative initially. We had to grasp the reasons for its underperformance, as at its core, we will be employing identical instruments, procedures, and approaches in the subsequent year,” he elaborated.
While that decision incurred a sacrifice, the French team principal maintained its overall value: “Indeed, we might have forfeited some duration by doing this, but we were unwilling to follow the path of optimistic speculation. Therefore, returning to the core issue, was it a tough call? No, it’s a course of action we were deeply and quickly convinced of.”
Mekies believes the recovery in 2025 offers multiple benefits for the forthcoming season. Confirming their operational methods and equipment stood out as the paramount factor, though even highly specialized insights remain relevant, notwithstanding significant changes to technical rules.
“Naturally, a vast amount of understanding was gained. Firstly, concerning the methodologies – what is required to accelerate the car, and how do you navigate existing constraints? Subsequently, insights into tires, the alignment of your instruments, and where to judiciously enhance performance. Thus, the shared domains are extensive, even with entirely distinct regulations.”
An Essential Morale Surge for the Engineering Department
Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal
Photo by: Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Furthermore, the reversal of fortunes carried considerable psychological weight, particularly for the engineering division.
“Considering the human element for a moment, I believe it undeniably solidified the team’s cohesion, imbuing us with the appropriate mindset, atmosphere, and drive for the upcoming year,” Mekies further stated. “Does this suggest we anticipate the car being quicker or slower than our rivals? Honestly, no.”
“However, I think as a collective, in our operational methods and how we embrace and address challenges, this proves beneficial. It is certainly providing extensive validation regarding the caliber of our personnel and our strategy.”
This specifically pertains to the group overseen by Pierre Wache. Red Bull experienced difficulties from mid-2024 until September 2025, implying that this recovery instills belief within the team that they can conquer challenging circumstances, irrespective of regulatory shifts.
“Undoubtedly, witnessing the car’s performance at the close of such a season provides a substantial uplift for the engineering division,” Mekies emphasized. “And yes, it fosters assurance among the staff. We already possessed faith in our personnel, believing we employ top-tier talent. Nevertheless, this bolsters trust in our methodologies, our instruments, and the key performance indicators we utilize, and indeed, we consider that to be the pivotal element of this year.”
