Verstappen’s back-to-back wins seal Red Bull’s 2026 turnaround
Red Bull’s recovery puts rivals on notice
Red Bull’s difficult start to the 2026 Formula One season has given way to a run of victories, with Max Verstappen winning in Malaysia and then following up with a pole-to-flag triumph in Singapore. The results mark a sharp change for a team whose early-season car was difficult to balance and inconsistent.
At the Sepang race, Verstappen described the progress as the team having “pushed weaknesses out of the car.” The RB22 had struggled across multiple areas earlier in the season, but successive development steps helped bring its performance together. In Malaysia it showed improved speed on the straights and through medium- and high-speed corners, while managing its tyres more effectively.
Mekies credits Verstappen’s technical feedback
Team principal Laurent Mekies said Verstappen’s understanding of the car helped the team identify where performance was being lost and shape its development direction. “His input is massive,” Mekies said after the Singapore Grand Prix. “His technical sensitivity is outstanding, probably without any equivalent.”
Mekies added that pinpointing a problem does not guarantee an immediate fix, but said the driver’s feedback was a “massive help” to both chassis and power-unit development. He described the team’s discussions as direct, transparent and constructive, even when they were emotional.
Red Bull’s recent pace has brought it within seven points of McLaren for third in the teams’ championship, according to Mekies. He said the team had possessed winning pace at each of the previous three races and converted that form into two victories, but warned against assuming the order would remain unchanged. Red Bull has completed its main upgrade programme for 2026, while competitors could still introduce developments.
Focus turns to learning for 2027
Although Red Bull will continue working to improve during the remaining races, Mekies said there would be no further substantial upgrade to this year’s car. The team is also looking to use the rest of the season to gather information for 2027, when it hopes to make another step forward.
“The first win is the target,” Mekies said, “but the other target is to take all the learning.” The Sepang performance and Singapore double victory have restored Red Bull’s presence at the front, but the team’s form at upcoming circuits will show whether the revival can be sustained.