Looking ahead to the next Formula 1 season, Red Bull chose to follow a different path compared to its main rivals, but this decision could now lead to a potentially dangerous delay in its 2026 development timeline. In Formula 1, the Milton Keynes-based team went against the flow by continuing to develop the 2025 car, while much of the paddock had already shifted resources and focus toward the upcoming season and the major regulatory overhaul.
At first glance, this decision appeared risky, especially in a historical moment when an imminent regulation change forces teams to make clear and often drastic choices. However, behind this strategy lies a precise line of reasoning involving leadership, working methods, and a long-term technical vision.
The 2025 season did not start as hoped for Red Bull. After years of dominance in the ground-effect era, the RB21 revealed structural limitations that gradually reduced Max Verstappen’s competitiveness in the title fight. With the 2026 regulations drawing ever closer, many teams decided to “turn the page” early. Red Bull, however, did the opposite: it persisted, introduced updates, and dug deep to understand what was not working.
The Mekies approach: understanding before turning the page
The logic behind this approach was explained by Laurent Mekies, who took over from Christian Horner as team principal. Laurent Mekies clarified that the priority was not immediate results, but gaining a deep understanding of the project.
“We didn’t want to simply turn the page hoping that everything would be fine in 2026,” he explained. “We wanted to get to the bottom of this project and understand why it wasn’t working.”
This choice also delivered tangible benefits. The floor upgrade introduced at Monza transformed Max Verstappen’s season, with the Dutch driver taking six victories in the final nine races. However, as Laurent Mekies himself underlined, that was not the primary goal: “The recovery in the standings was a side effect. The real objective was to validate processes, tools, and methodologies that we will also use in 2026.”
Ultimately, while rivals may have a head start in wind tunnel hours for the 2026 regulations, Red Bull is betting that their refined methodologies will bridge the gap. By choosing to fully understand the RB21’s shortcomings rather than abandoning the project, the team hopes to enter the new era with a validated technical foundation, even if it means a tighter schedule in the months ahead.
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