Red Bull set for Austrian GP upgrades as F1 2026 shift nears

Helmut Marko says Red Bull will introduce its latest raft of upgrades over the Austria and British grand prix weekends as it nears the end of its 2025 Formula 1 development.

Red Bull gradually introduced revisions to the floor, sidepods and front wing across the Miami, Imola and Barcelona weekends, and its latest refinements to the 2025 car are set to arrive this weekend at its home race in Austria, Red Bull advisor Marko revealed.

“We are now getting an update for Austria, which will then be refined again for Silverstone,” Marko told Kleine Zeitung.

“But if that doesn’t work either, then it will be difficult in the world championship. And it’s not as if it’s not difficult enough already.”

Marko expects those upgrades to be Red Bull’s last real push for 2025, before the team fully shifts its resources to the all-new regulations coming next year.

“There is a precise breakdown of how the wind tunnel and all the tools are used,” Marko explained. “At some point, however, people will say: ‘That’s it for further development.’ For two reasons: Time – and the production of new parts takes time – and the cost cap.

“So, the question is: where do you spend your resources? I assume that after Silverstone or Spa [25-27 July], at the latest, there will be a decision to focus entirely on the new car.”

Marko added that he felt it’s not impossible for Red Bull to make up what he believes is around three tenths of a second per lap on the leading McLarens, but time is ticking.

Previewing Red Bull’s home race at the Red Bull Ring, he said: “Max Verstappen has won here five times, the track suits him.

“It’s not just us who have problems with the tyres, everyone except McLaren is struggling. We are currently probably three tenths behind McLaren, but in a much smaller working window, which makes it even more difficult. It’s not impossible to make up the three tenths, but it has to come now.

“If the track suits us, like in Jeddah or Suzuka – Imola and Montreal weren’t too bad either – then it works. But the working window is extremely small.”