Red Bull started the 2026 Formula 1 season at a disadvantage after betting heavily on the recovery of the 2025 car. The decision, however, does not generate regret within the team.
Read more F1: Bottas says rule adjustment for Miami «is a good first step»
Team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged that the late effort in developing last year’s car impacted the current project. Still, he emphasized that the choice was strategic and important for the team’s future, even in the face of difficulties at the start of this season.
After a difficult start in 2025, when McLaren took the lead with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Red Bull reacted after the summer break. The team managed a significant recovery, finishing the championship third in the Constructors’ World Championship, behind McLaren and Mercedes, while Max Verstappen finished as runner-up among the drivers, behind Norris.
Read more NASCAR Brazil: Witold Ramasauskas goes in search of maintaining the lead in Cascavel
Mekies highlighted the collective effort as a key point of this turnaround. “What happened in the second part of last year is something we will remember for a long time. It was an incredible recovery, and credit goes to everyone in Milton Keynes who managed to transform that car. No one wanted to give up,” he said.
The executive also admitted the direct impact on current performance but dismissed any regret. “Did this have a cost at the starting point of 2026? Yes, it is inevitable. Would we do the same again? Yes. But it does not explain all our difficulties today, that would be using it as an excuse, and no one is looking for excuses here,” he added, indicating that the team remains motivated to react again.
Read more F1: Check out the drivers participating in the press conference in Miami
