Laurent Mekies has explained why Red Bull Racing is pushing so hard with the development of the RB21, even if that means diverting part of its resources away from the 2026 Formula 1 car project.
Red Bull’s season appears to have taken a decisive turn in recent weeks. During the latest races, the RB21 has shown signs of strong potential, enough to reignite hopes of a comeback in the drivers’ championship. Although the challenge remains extremely difficult, the team seems determined to fight until the end, channeling all its energy and focus into the current car — even at the cost of reducing attention on the 2026 machine.
In the most recent Grands Prix, Red Bull introduced several significant technical updates, unlike many of their rivals who have already stopped development for this year. These upgrades have gradually restored the RB21’s balance, helping Max Verstappen return to winning ways in recent races. The new front wing, introduced at the Singapore Grand Prix, clearly reflects the team’s relentless pursuit of performance and its determination to give Verstappen a car capable of challenging for victories and potentially the title.
Mekies believes Red Bull’s focus on the RB21 is the right decision
While this approach naturally means a reduced focus on the 2026 project, Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies remains convinced that this is the correct strategy and one that could even bring long-term benefits.
“Surely, from Red Bull Racing’s point of view, even without looking at what others are doing, I believe this was the right choice,” Laurent Mekies told Motorsport Week.
“It’s very important to understand whether the current project still has room for improvement. We need to take this analysis as far as possible, because we will be evaluating and developing next year’s project with the same tools and methodology — even though the regulations will be completely different.”
A strategic sacrifice for the 2026 project
Mekies admitted that this strategy will come at a cost when it comes to preparations for 2026. However, he emphasized that the work done on the RB21 is essential to fully understand the team’s current tools and development methods, ensuring they are refined and ready to transfer seamlessly to the next-generation car.
“It’s crucial to validate, with this year’s car, that our way of analyzing data is correct and that our development approach is the right one,” he explained. “If we can achieve this level of performance, we’ll have more confidence during the winter as we prepare for next year’s car.”
He added, “Of course, there’s no doubt that this approach carries a cost for the 2026 project. But we believe it’s the right compromise for us — without judging what other teams are doing.”
Red Bull’s clear goal: winning now, learning for the future
From Mekies’ words, it is clear that Red Bull’s strategy is driven by two main objectives. The first is to remain in contention for the world championship in 2025 by extracting every bit of potential from the RB21. The second is to strengthen the team’s foundations ahead of the major technical and regulatory overhaul that will reshape Formula 1 in 2026.
Red Bull’s decision to continue developing the RB21, while others have already switched their focus to next year or beyond, shows a strong belief in its current package and in the team’s ability to keep learning. For Mekies, the knowledge gained this season could prove invaluable when the new regulations arrive, allowing Red Bull to approach 2026 with better tools, refined processes, and greater technical understanding.
In essence, Red Bull appears to be taking a calculated gamble — prioritizing short-term competitiveness and a renewed title push with Max Verstappen, while trusting that the insights gathered this year will ultimately serve as a foundation for success under the new rules.
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