While the internal turmoil at Red Bull Racing continues to dominate headlines following the immediate dismissal of team principal Christian Horner, Helmut Marko is attempting to shift the focus back to what truly matters: on-track performance. According to the long-time motorsport advisor of the Austrian team, writing in his regular column for Speedweek, Red Bull will introduce a new and potentially decisive update package for the upcoming Formula 1 rounds—the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps and the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring. These two races are the final events before Formula 1 enters its traditional summer break.
The goal for the Red Bull Racing outfit is clear and ambitious: to deliver two strong race weekends that could allow Max Verstappen to return to the top step of the podium after a series of challenging results, while also helping Yuki Tsunoda regain confidence and comfort with the RB21 car. Marko explained:
“We’re approaching the weekend of the Belgian Grand Prix and right after that, the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Spa-Francorchamps circuit should suit our car better, particularly due to the typically unpredictable weather conditions. We’re optimistic about our chances there.”
Spa-Francorchamps has historically been a favorable venue for Max Verstappen and the Red Bull team, often bringing strong results. In contrast, the same cannot be said for the Hungaroring. The tight and technical Budapest track has proven more challenging in recent years, offering little in terms of satisfaction or victories. Still, Helmut Marko remains hopeful that the latest technical upgrades could help change that trend:
“Hungary could be a bit more complicated for us,” he added, “due to the nature of the circuit layout and the usually high track temperatures. However, we will have new components on the car for both weekends, and we hope that these upgrades will produce a positive effect.”
With just one week to go until the start of the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, anticipation is building. These latest upgrades are seen as potentially pivotal in turning Red Bull’s performance around during this crucial mid-season phase. The team will also experience a shift in leadership dynamics, as Laurent Mekies is set to assume the role of team principal starting with the race in Belgium. His arrival brings both a technical and managerial refresh, possibly injecting the squad with renewed motivation and a more structured development path.
The central question now is whether these new upgrades will be enough to reignite Red Bull’s competitiveness. Can Max Verstappen mount a serious challenge to the resurgent McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the second half of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship season?
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