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Mekies insists Red Bull are in ‘full attack mode’ as he admits team are paying the price for late 2025 push

Red Bull Racing boss Laurent Mekies has delivered a bold and defiant message to rivals, insisting the team remains in “full attack mode” despite openly admitting that their aggressive development push late in the 2025 season is now costing them in 2026.

The Milton Keynes outfit, long regarded as the benchmark of modern Formula 1 dominance, has faced an uncharacteristically challenging start to the current campaign. While flashes of brilliance remain, inconsistency and performance gaps have raised questions about whether their supremacy is finally under threat.

Mekies, however, is refusing to entertain any narrative of decline.

“We are not stepping back,” he said firmly. “We are in full attack mode. Yes, we are paying a price for how hard we pushed at the end of last year, but that was a conscious decision. We knew there could be consequences.”

That decision, according to insiders, involved stretching development resources deep into the 2025 calendar in a bid to secure every possible advantage under the outgoing regulations. While it delivered short-term gains, the ripple effect appears to have impacted the team’s transition into the evolving 2026 technical landscape.

At the heart of the issue is car balance and adaptability—areas where Red Bull previously excelled. This season, drivers have struggled at times to extract consistent performance across varying circuits, a stark contrast to their dominant campaigns with Max Verstappen leading the charge.

Even Verstappen, known for his ability to mask underlying issues with sheer driving brilliance, has hinted at underlying frustrations. Though still competitive, the Dutchman has found himself fighting harder than usual against resurging rivals, particularly Scuderia Ferrari and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team.

Mekies acknowledged the reality but framed it as part of a calculated risk rather than a misstep.

“When you operate at the front, every decision is a trade-off,” he explained. “We chose to maximize what we had in 2025, and that meant accepting a more difficult starting point this year. But this team thrives under pressure.”

Indeed, Red Bull’s reputation has been built not just on dominance, but on resilience and rapid innovation. The team’s technical structure remains one of the strongest on the grid, and there is growing confidence internally that solutions are already in motion.

Sources suggest that a series of upgrades is in development, aimed at addressing aerodynamic inefficiencies and improving tire management—two areas where the team has struggled relative to its own high standards.

For rivals, this period represents a rare window of opportunity. Ferrari, buoyed by renewed momentum and consistency, is pushing hard to capitalize, while Mercedes appears to be finding its rhythm again after several transitional seasons.

Yet Mekies’ tone leaves little doubt: Red Bull is far from conceding anything.

“There is no panic here,” he said. “We understand the situation better than anyone. The gaps you see now are not permanent. We are pushing harder than ever to close them.”

That mindset reflects the DNA of a team that has repeatedly reinvented itself at the top level. Even in moments of vulnerability, Red Bull’s ability to respond has often been swift and decisive.

The coming races will be crucial. If the anticipated upgrades deliver, the narrative could quickly shift back in their favor. If not, the 2026 season may evolve into one of the most competitive title fights in recent memory.

For now, though, Mekies is embracing the challenge.

“In Formula 1, you either attack or you fall behind,” he said. “We’ve chosen to attack.”

And if history is anything to go by, writing off Red Bull Racing at this stage may prove to be a very dangerous mistake.