Red Bull Stays Course Despite Surging Championship Hopes

Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies has declared that the Milton Keynes squad will not deviate from its race-by-race approach, even as unexpected championship possibilities emerge. Since taking over from Christian Horner in July, Mekies has overseen a significant turnaround for the six-time constructors' champions, bringing them back into contention for second place and propelling Max Verstappen into the thick of the drivers' title fight.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's resurgence has dramatically altered the F1 landscape. Just five rounds ago, Verstappen was 104 points adrift of the leader; now, he's only 36 points behind Lando Norris. The team, currently fourth in the constructors' standings, is also a mere 10 points behind Ferrari for second. This unexpected late-season charge means every race now carries immense weight, but Mekies's defiant stance emphasizes a focus on performance over points.

The Details:

• Strategic Consistency: Despite the improved championship position, Mekies insists Red Bull will not change its strategy. The team will continue to tackle each Grand Prix individually, avoiding a focus on the championship standings.
• Performance Over Position: Following Verstappen's third-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix, Mekies stated the team's primary focus remains on car performance, not championship points. He highlighted the team's dissatisfaction with their performance in Mexico and their immediate shift to learning for the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix.
• Verstappen's Gain: In Mexico, Verstappen managed to reduce the gap to the championship leader from 40 to 36 points, despite Red Bull not having its usual competitive edge.
• Holistic Approach: Mekies views championship outcomes as a "consequence" of executing each round flawlessly. The team's goal is to always extract maximum performance and fight for victory, regardless of their position in the standings.

What's next:

The uncompromising focus on performance means Red Bull will scrutinize their Mexico City performance to prepare for Brazil. If they can refine their car and maintain their recent form, their "consequence"-driven approach could very well see them continue to close the gap in both championships, potentially leading to a dramatic conclusion to the F1 season.