2025 title challenge may negatively impact Red Bull next year - chief

      "We believe this is the appropriate balance for us."

      Red Bull has opted to continue upgrading its 2025 car as Max Verstappen’s slim chances for the championship persist, even if it compromises the team's 2026 project. Team principal Laurent Mekies confirmed in Singapore that Red Bull will keep refining the RB21 in the remaining races, while competitors like McLaren have already ceased development to focus entirely on the new regulations.

      "It was essential for Red Bull to determine whether the car has additional potential and to learn how to unlock it," Mekies stated. "Next year's regulations will be entirely different, but we'll use the same tools and approach, making it vital that the data we utilize is accurate with this year's car."

      He acknowledged that this strategy comes with a cost. "That performance also gives us confidence going into the winter for next year's car," he noted. "Of course, there will be a price to pay for this in the context of the 2026 project. We believe this is the right balance for us, without considering what other teams are doing."

      In contrast, McLaren has ceased all work on the 2025 car. "No time," said Lando Norris after Singapore, where he was unable to catch Verstappen, when asked if the team would rush through some upgrades. "We’ve stopped with this car and we're already deeply engaged in the next project."

      Red Bull’s 2026 prospects were already uncertain, as the Milton Keynes team is developing its own power unit in collaboration with Ford—a bold move that even team members concede may put them at a disadvantage in the early stages of the next hybrid era. Nonetheless, Verstappen's third consecutive podium finish, which includes two wins, has renewed confidence that the late-season effort is worthwhile. Mekies also mentioned that Verstappen's balance and gearbox issues in Singapore were minor setbacks. "There are a few areas we need to improve because Max experienced some issues during the race," he explained. "I want to stress that these are not significant problems."

      La Gazzetta dello Sport succinctly described Red Bull and Verstappen’s challenge: "It will be challenging, nearly impossible, with six races left, but the situation is engaging enough to make this final sprint of the season worthwhile."