With the 2025 Formula One season wrapped up, attention is already turning to 2026 – and Red Bull’s prospects might not be as bleak as first feared.
The latter stages of the season were all about Max Verstappen. He picked up six wins after the summer break, helping him close out the year with eight victories in total.
That strong finish put Verstappen firmly back in the title picture, chasing a fourth consecutive drivers’ crown. While Lando Norris eventually came out on top, Verstappen didn’t make it easy for him.
Red Bull’s resurgence followed a decision to keep upgrading their RB21 throughout the year. There were concerns this would hurt development of their 2026 car, but early signs suggest those worries might have been overblown.
Red Bull confident late 2025 upgrades won’t hurt their 2026 F1 plans
Alpine boss Steve Nielsen recently shared his thoughts on why trying to develop both the current and next season’s cars late in the year doesn’t add up.
Developing upgrades is a huge investment of time and resources, so teams need to be selective about where they commit, especially with new F1 regulations just around the corner.
Some thought Red Bull’s continued focus on their current car would set back their Powertrains department, but F1 journalist Michael Schmidt believes that hasn’t been an issue.
Speaking on the final episode of the Formel Schmidt podcast, he was asked whether Red Bull’s decision to keep working on the RB21 could come back to haunt them next year. “In 2021 and 2022, it didn’t happen,” he replied.
“They employed a similar strategy then. This time, the task is, of course, much, much bigger.”
“Additionally, they have to build their own engine now for 2026 – something which is a huge task for a private racing team like them,” he said. “So yes it can come back to bite them but I don’t think it will.”
Despite starting from a fresh slate, Isack Hadjar is still expected to struggle against Max Verstappen at Red Bull next year
With Isack Hadjar set to become Verstappen’s latest sparring partner at Red Bull next season, it is widely regarded that the Frenchman could benefit from the regulatory reset and be on the same level as the four-time world champion.
However, Schmidt highlights how Verstappen’s experience will still surpass Hadjar’s enthusiasm, saying, “Verstappen is the one who is quick with everything now, but that’s how it is.
“[Hadjar] is certainly right that everything really starts from zero, completely from zero, the cars also have a completely different driving characteristic than the ones now, more like 2021.
“It will then come down to how one can adjust the driving style from these ground effect cars back to the 2026 cars. And he says, ‘Verstappen is starting from zero just like I am.’
“That’s not entirely true because Verstappen has a larger database of different cars he has already driven.
“And he knows the team so it will certainly not be easy for Hadjar. I would say he will certainly perform better than Tsunoda though.”
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