Red Bull and McLaren Arrive in Brazil Without Car Upgrades

Neither Red Bull nor McLaren, two of the leading teams in the 2025 title race, have brought any car updates to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. This trend extends across the entire Formula 1 grid, as no team has introduced track-specific changes for Interlagos.

Why it matters:

With the 2026 regulation changes looming, teams are shifting their development focus. The lack of upgrades in Brazil signifies a broader strategy across the paddock to channel resources into future car designs rather than making incremental improvements to current machinery.

The details:

• The FIA's official car presentation document confirms that no changes were submitted by any of the ten F1 teams for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
• This means not a single team introduced track-specific modifications for the Interlagos circuit.
• The document explicitly states "No updates submitted for this event" next to each team's name.
• Teams are primarily focusing on their 2026 challengers, anticipating significant regulation shifts.
• While no updates were brought to Brazil, teams still have opportunities to introduce track-specific parts later in the season, particularly for unique circuits like the Las Vegas Grand Prix street circuit.

The big picture:

This collective decision to forgo upgrades underscores the intense strategic planning involved in F1 development cycles. With major regulation changes on the horizon for 2026, teams are making a calculated choice to prioritize long-term competitiveness over short-term gains. This shift in focus is typical as a season nears its conclusion and new rules approach, impacting everything from aerodynamics to power unit design.

What's next:

While Brazil saw no new components, teams might still debut specific adjustments for the unique demands of upcoming races, such as the Las Vegas street circuit. However, the overarching trend suggests that major development efforts for the current generation of cars are largely complete, with all eyes firmly on the 2026 season.