Max Verstappen has only one goal in Formula 1 with Red Bull: to win. But the weekend at Red Bull’s home track didn’t begin in the best way for the Austrian team. As often happens, the RB21 showed some issues in the first two free practice sessions. In the opening hour, both Max and Yuki reported balance problems, especially under heavy braking into Turn 1 and Turn 3.
Red Bull working overnight to fine-tune the RB21 in Spielberg
The team already made some setup adjustments during Friday’s sessions, altering the base configuration defined at the Milton Keynes factory. Most of the setup work, however, was scheduled for the night between Friday and Saturday. For the first time since 2016, Max Verstappen’s race engineer Giampiero Lambiase will not be present due to personal reasons.
In Austria, Verstappen’s support will come from Simon Rennie, who previously worked with drivers such as Kimi Raikkonen, Webber, and Ricciardo. His radio exchange with Kimi in Abu Dhabi 2012 remains iconic. Red Bull’s goal under Christian Horner’s leadership is clear: to win their home Grand Prix and keep Verstappen’s world title hopes alive.
The Dutch driver has already won five times at this circuit, even before Red Bull’s recent dominant era. The Canadian Grand Prix was a partial misstep, where McLaren’s MCL39 was not as dominant as usual. Horner has made it clear: the team will give everything to help Verstappen chase a fifth consecutive world championship.
Speculation about Verstappen’s future continues
Questions about Verstappen’s future continue to circulate, mostly fueled by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. While Russell’s contract renewal appears certain, Wolff hasn’t ruled out discussions with Max Verstappen. The Dutchman, however, stated during Thursday’s media briefing that he is focused on the present. With no contract expiring soon and 2026 still far off, he reiterated his desire to stay with Red Bull moving forward.
Verstappen stays relaxed despite a low-key Friday
Despite a Friday marked by setup concerns, Verstappen appeared calm in front of the media. He noted that to be competitive in qualifying and the race, Red Bull must address the RB21’s lack of rotation that surfaced during both free practice sessions. The communication with his substitute engineer Rennie was positive throughout the day.
Verstappen said he’s known Rennie for a long time, having worked closely with him in the simulator, and appreciates his skills and straightforward approach. The Austrian circuit has always been a stronghold for Max, and this season more than ever, a win is crucial to keep the championship alive. However, the fight for victory in round eleven is not limited to McLaren and Red Bull.
Mercedes showed promise in Canada but hasn’t impressed in Spielberg. Ferrari remains a question mark, though Leclerc has shown encouraging long-run pace. With rising temperatures expected on Sunday, tyre degradation will once again be a key factor. Verstappen’s long-run pace hasn’t been as strong as Lando Norris’, who looked consistent on the medium tyre. Time will tell.
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