Mekies: Red Bull's 'sensational' late-season turnaround a key asset for 2026

Despite narrowly missing the 2026 drivers' title, Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies believes the team's dramatic late-season resurgence could be as valuable as a championship trophy. The Milton Keynes squad roared back from a mid-season slump to finish with six wins in the final nine races, a turnaround Mekies says has restored crucial confidence in the team's processes just as it prepares to become a full power unit manufacturer under new regulations.

Why it matters:

A powerful and reliable engine is the cornerstone of success in Formula 1's new regulatory era. Red Bull's ability to fundamentally improve its car mid-season and dominate the final races proves its engineering and operational strength. This momentum and renewed belief in its methodologies are critical intangible assets as the team undertakes the massive challenge of designing and building its first in-house power unit for 2026.

The details:

• After Max Verstappen fell 104 points behind Oscar Piastri by the Dutch GP, Red Bull's title hopes seemed finished. A crucial floor upgrade introduced at Monza completely reversed their fortunes.
• The team won six of the final nine race weekends, culminating in a dominant pole and victory for Verstappen at the Abu Dhabi finale.
• Mekies emphasized that this "sensational" mid-season recovery is a rare feat in modern F1 and is what the team will carry forward, not the regret of losing the title by just two points.
• He stated the focus is on the confidence gained in the team's "tools, methodologies, and approaches," which will be partially applicable to the 2026 car project.

What's next:

Red Bull enters the off-season and the massive 2026 development cycle with proven resilience and a winning operational template. The late-season surge serves as a powerful internal motivator and a statement to rivals that the team can engineer its way out of a performance deficit. While some 2025 concepts will become obsolete with the new rules, the problem-solving culture and belief forged during the 2026 comeback are assets that will directly benefit the team's historic transition to a full works manufacturer.