McLaren Warns Red Bull Has Resolved Weaknesses, 'Extremely Capable' for Title

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella believes Red Bull and Max Verstappen are firmly "in the game" for the Drivers' Championship, having significantly improved the competitiveness of the RB21. Verstappen has slashed his championship deficit to Oscar Piastri from nearly 100 points to 63 points, showcasing strong performances, including a victory over both McLarens in Singapore—a circuit historically challenging for Red Bull.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's resurgence and the closing gap in the championship have reignited the title fight, making the remainder of the season a compelling battle. Their ability to overcome previous weaknesses, especially at diverse tracks, signals a genuine threat to McLaren's lead and sets the stage for an intense conclusion to the season.

The Details:

• Championship Momentum: Verstappen has accumulated four consecutive podium finishes, including wins at Monza and Baku, and two second-place finishes at Zandvoort and Singapore. This consistent performance has significantly reduced his deficit from 97 points after Hungary to 63 points currently.
• RB21 Updates: Red Bull has been introducing a steady stream of updates to the RB21, which appear to have addressed critical balance issues that affected Verstappen's earlier season performance. These improvements have enabled the car to perform competitively across various downforce requirements.
• Singapore Breakthrough: The Singapore Grand Prix served as a crucial test. Historically, Red Bull has struggled at this high-downforce street circuit. However, their improved performance, including Verstappen beating both McLarens, indicates that the team has resolved previous limitations at such tracks.
• Stella's Assessment: Andrea Stella acknowledges Red Bull's capabilities, stating, "They are extremely capable. Max is a driver who is just Max Verstappen... it’s no surprise that they are in the game." He highlights their competitiveness at both low-drag tracks like Monza and Baku, and high-drag tracks like Singapore, as evidence of their resolved issues.
• Team Leadership Change: Laurent Mekies replaced Christian Horner as team principal and CEO after Silverstone. While the recent upgrades were initiated during Horner's tenure, Helmut Marko has credited Mekies' engineering expertise for contributing to a new approach and improved performance.

The Big Picture:

Red Bull's ability to evolve the RB21 throughout the season, even as McLaren focused on 2026, underscores their relentless development capabilities. The team's recent performance suggests a significant breakthrough in unlocking performance across the entire downforce spectrum, making them a formidable opponent regardless of track characteristics. This adaptability contrasts with their earlier season struggles, where performance was more sporadic and track-dependent.

What's next:

With only six race weekends remaining, the championship battle is reaching its climax. The upcoming races, particularly Austin and Mexico, which feature many mid-speed corners where McLaren has been strong, will be critical litmus tests for Red Bull's sustained improvements. While catching Piastri for the title remains a challenging prospect, Red Bull's current momentum and resolved weaknesses suggest they will continue to push McLaren to the absolute limit. The ongoing evolution of the RB21 under Laurent Mekies' leadership will be closely watched as the season draws to a close.