Red Bull has officially confirmed that its Azerbaijan Grand Prix package will be its final major upgrade for the 2026 Formula 1 season, as the team shifts its development focus to 2027. The Milton Keynes-based outfit brought a five-part upgrade to Baku in a bid to close the gap to Mercedes and secure a race win before the season ends.
However, team principal Laurent Mekies stated that these modifications mark the last significant step of the year. "It's most probably our last significant package. We have switched a significant part of our resources, a very large majority, to next year's car," Mekies said on Thursday in Baku.
He added that the team is not abandoning the current season entirely. "We are still chasing our first win, which is an important target. And secondly, the regulations have only very little changes for next year, so there are huge opportunities to continue learning in the remaining races," he explained. This dual approach aims to stay competitive while gathering data for 2027.
Technical director Pierre Wache reported that the upgrade, fitted to both Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar's cars, delivered as expected. "It was quite positive, both cars had the upgrade. From the first analysis in FP1, we more or less delivered what we expected," Wache said.
Hadjar, returning from a three-race injury lay-off, echoed the positivity. "It feels good. It's been a minute, so it was good. With this new package, the car feels nice. It's better than when I left it in Budapest," he said. Despite limited running, he remains unconcerned about pace.
Red Bull's decision to switch focus to 2027 reflects the competitive reality of this season. With Mercedes still leading, championship hopes are slim. Yet the team remains determined to end the year with a win and build a strong foundation for the new regulations.
This move also highlights the importance of resource management under cost caps. Red Bull is investing heavily in the 2027 car, which will be crucial with major regulation changes. The remaining races will serve as a live laboratory to test concepts and understand tyre and aerodynamic characteristics.
For fans, this may be disappointing as no further major technical surprises are expected from Red Bull this year. However, behind the scenes, the team is weaving a long-term strategy that could bring them back to the top. The remaining races will be a proving ground for Verstappen and Hadjar to maximise the current package.
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