Red Bull dismisses 2026 speculation in light of McLaren's comeback.

      "It enhances our confidence in our tools."

      Red Bull maintains that its late-season development efforts are unrelated to apprehensions about the 2026 engine regulations, countering McLaren’s assertion that the current champions are compromising long-term advancement to pursue Max Verstappen’s slim title chances. McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella speculated in Mexico that Red Bull's choice to continue advancing its 2025 car indicates uncertainty regarding the forthcoming Red Bull-Ford power unit. However, both Dr. Helmut Marko and team principal Laurent Mekies have dismissed this notion. "It is unrelated to 2026," Mekies stated. "If we were to conclude the season without maximizing this car's potential, we'd enter 2026 with various uncertainties. That’s why we opted to invest more in this car—to tackle areas that need improvement and find additional speed. It significantly boosts our confidence in our tools, methods, and strategies for 2026. Yes, this will leave us with less time and resources for the new project, but that’s a deliberate choice. Performance is not a factor here."

      The Frenchman emphasized that the team's strategy centers on understanding rather than risk. "We’re doing this because we believe it provides a net benefit. We’re validating our methods, which can be applied to 2026. We wouldn’t proceed if it posed a risk. Yes, there are costs involved, but we think it's worthwhile."

      Despite Verstappen's recent success, Mexico marked a halt in Red Bull's momentum, as Norris returned to winning form. Although the Briton took the championship lead from an out-of-sorts Oscar Piastri, Verstappen managed to narrow his overall deficit to 36 points. For Stella, Norris’ commanding victory was a timely reset. "Verstappen remains a contender, but the upcoming races favor us," he noted. "Our confidence in the championship has grown because we’ve shown we have a car capable of winning races and dominating under certain conditions." The Italian engineer continued, "This is crucial for enabling Lando and Oscar to compete for the Drivers’ Championship. It’s not about the numbers; it’s about our competitiveness. The recent races in Monza, Baku, Singapore, and Austin were challenging, but we've reaffirmed our strength."

      Piastri’s decline continued in Mexico, but Stella was optimistic. "Even though Oscar lost points to Verstappen, he gained valuable experience this weekend," he remarked. "This kind of investment ensures we remain competitive in all conditions for the final phase. We exit Mexico feeling stronger and more hopeful."

      Marko from Red Bull concurred that the contest is still open. "There are still 116 points available, and it's clear that one team won't necessarily dominate at every circuit," he stated. "Our chances are alive. I hope both McLarens continue their fair play—our focus is entirely on Max."

      Marko noted that Verstappen’s pace in Mexico was stronger than it may have seemed. "We anticipated being better in race conditions. Max is like a hunting dog—once he catches a scent, everything else fades, and he goes on the attack," he explained.

      At McLaren, however, the discussion is shifting from machinery to mindset. Norris currently leads the standings but faces renewed scrutiny after being booed by the Mexican crowd. Former F1 driver Timo Glock told Sky Deutschland, "The question now is whether Norris can capitalize on his second chance as championship leader—or if he will falter again. Has he figured out why the pressure was overwhelming before and why he couldn’t drive freely then?"

      "If he has, and he’s learned to manage it, then he’s in a favorable position," Glock added. "But that’s easier said than done. Once the helmet is on and the pressure mounts, it’s an entirely different scenario."