Red Bull target Austrian Grand Prix revival with crucial car upgrades
Red Bull will introduce a significant upgrade package for their home Austrian Grand Prix this weekend as they attempt to close the gap to their championship rivals.
The former world champions currently sit fourth in the Constructors’ Championship on 89 points.
This marks their lowest tally at this stage of a campaign since the 2015 season.
Team boss Laurent Mekies described their recent performance in Barcelona as a “reality check” for the Milton Keynes-based squad.
Struggles in Spain prompt swift response
During the Spanish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen finished 40 seconds behind race winner Lewis Hamilton in fourth place.
His team-mate Isack Hadjar could only manage a lapped sixth after his afternoon was compromised by a poor launch off the line.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya heavily tested the aerodynamic capabilities of the RB22, exposing current frailties in high-speed cornering.
Despite a promising qualifying session where the Dutch driver lapped within three-tenths of pole-sitter George Russell, the race pace painted a markedly different picture.
Engine disputes and future uncertainties
The Austrian outfit recently disputed findings by the FIA that suggested they possessed the benchmark power unit on the grid.
As a first-year engine manufacturer under the 2026 regulations, the team has sought clarification from the sport’s governing body regarding these rankings.
This critical juncture arrives amid growing speculation over the future of their leading driver.
Decisions regarding the three-time world champion’s plans for 2027 are expected to approach crunch time before the August summer break.
Mekies acknowledged the stark reality of the challenge ahead as the team prepares for the demanding Red Bull Ring.
The race produced an accurate picture of where we are with our current package on this sort of track.
