Red Bull casts doubt on McLaren upgrade after Hungary 'big jump'

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies praised McLaren's substantial performance gain at the Hungarian Grand Prix while openly questioning whether the upgrade will translate to fundamentally different circuits. McLaren rolled out a comprehensive package centered on a new floor and revised aerodynamic furniture for the MCL40 in Budapest, propelling Lando Norris to victory ahead of Max Verstappen and locking out the top two positions ahead of both Ferraris and Mercedes for the first time this season.

Why it matters:

McLaren's resurgence has already altered the 2026 championship fight, and Mekies' candid assessment reveals how closely Red Bull is monitoring its nearest challenger. The Budapest result underlines a clear shift in the competitive order, but the true test lies in whether McLaren's gains are universal or simply maximized by the unique demands of the Hungaroring.

The details:

• McLaren's latest upgrade featured a new floor and revised aerodynamic elements at the front and rear, specifically targeting high-downforce circuits like the Hungaroring.
• The MCL40's short wheelbase has historically thrived at Budapest, rewarding the rapid direction changes the tight, twisting layout demands.
• Mekies questioned whether a floor optimized for high ride heights and softer suspension would carry over to low-drag, power-sensitive venues such as Monza.
• Sunday's result extended McLaren's dominant Hungaroring streak to three consecutive wins, following 1-2 finishes in both 2024 and 2025.

What's next:

The upcoming European rounds will reveal whether McLaren has found genuine all-around pace or merely unlocked a circuit-specific advantage. If the upgrades maintain their effectiveness across varying downforce levels, Red Bull may face a sustained two-front battle for both titles. Should the gains fade on power tracks, however, Budapest could stand as an impressive but isolated highlight in McLaren's 2026 season.