Was Baku Really Max Verstappen’s Best Chance to Win in F1 2026?

Red Bull’s Baku Upgrade Delivers Performance Boost

Max Verstappen described the Baku City Circuit as Red Bull Racing’s best opportunity to win a Formula 1 race in 2026, but the team ultimately fell just 0.196 seconds short at the finish. The result was influenced by Valtteri Bottas’ crash and George Russell’s boost issue, yet Red Bull’s race pace was undeniably competitive, especially on soft tyres.

Red Bull’s performance was not based solely on the high top speed generated on the longest straight in the Formula 1 calendar. The team also introduced its final significant upgrade package for the RB22 in Baku, featuring a new floor and revised sidepods. According to both Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, the changes delivered the expected performance gains and made the car more comfortable to drive on the Azerbaijan circuit.

Hadjar highlighted the improvement in the car’s through-corner balance from the opening practice session. “Baku is a very specific track, with specific tarmac, but the way the car was behaving in terms of through-corner balance this weekend, from lap one in FP1, I was like, ‘Okay, this is looking pretty good’,” Isack Hadjar said.

However, Hadjar identified a remaining disadvantage in the power unit compared with Mercedes. “Then the second half of the car [the power unit], we’re definitely lacking compared to Mercedes. But in terms of handling on the brakes, the car was definitely a step better than in Budapest,” Hadjar said, referring to the last race before his wrist injury. “So, yeah, I’m really pleased with that [feeling in the car].”

Verstappen Identifies Red Bull’s Remaining Weaknesses

Verstappen also felt that the upgrade produced a more cohesive car, giving him greater confidence through Baku’s predominantly slow, 90-degree corners. “Yeah, I mean, it’s a unique track. It has mainly 90-degree corners, but it probably felt a little bit more together balance-wise,” the Dutchman said.

The four-time world champion nevertheless stressed that Red Bull still has performance available in areas unrelated to the latest aerodynamic package. “But like I said, we have other issues in the car that we really need to fix because there is just free lap time in that. That’s what we are working on. But the performance items, they worked well and we’ve been fairly happy all weekend with what I had from the car.”

Verstappen was referring primarily to Red Bull’s car degradation problems and the electrical deployment of its power unit, which is not as effective as Mercedes’ system. Although the technical team led by Pierre Wache delivered a successful upgrade in Baku, Verstappen still considers the weekend the team’s best chance of victory during the 2026 season.

Mercedes Upgrade Could Make Red Bull’s Challenge Harder

Red Bull’s assessment is also shaped by Mercedes’ development schedule. Mercedes is expected to introduce its long-awaited W17 upgrade package in Malaysia, with an ADUO power-unit upgrade also in the pipeline. Verstappen warned that the competitive order could move further away from Red Bull if the changes work as intended.

“If they’re bringing an upgrade to Malaysia, then it’s going to look a little bit more difficult for us,” the four-time world champion said.

“If Mercedes is bringing an upgrade and it works, then they’ll take another step ahead, and that’s not what you want. It will make it even more difficult to win, but we’ll try every single weekend and, of course, if the opportunity is there, we go for it.”

When Motorsport.com asked Mekies whether he shared Verstappen’s view or believed Red Bull’s Baku race pace indicated that more winning opportunities could emerge, the team principal said both interpretations were valid.

“I think both statements are correct. I think it’s fair what Max is saying in terms of assessing this track as, on paper, the one that was favouring us the most. So I think that is correct, it has probably been the most favourable track for us in terms of car characteristics.

“Equally I think that the performance we’ve shown in the race is giving us decent hope that we will get another couple of occasions before the end of the year.”

Red Bull Using 2026 Races to Prepare for 2027

Mekies emphasized that Red Bull’s remaining races in 2026 will serve a broader purpose than simply pursuing the team’s first victory of the year. The team also wants to gather information at a variety of circuits to improve its understanding of the RB22 and inform the design of a car capable of consistently fighting at the front in 2027.

Verstappen has repeatedly indicated that some larger changes are no longer possible during the 2026 campaign, even though they will be required if Red Bull is to mount a championship challenge next season. Mekies agreed that the remaining events must expose the car to conditions in which its weaknesses are more clearly revealed.

“On top of getting a couple of other occasions to get that first win, it’s also good to go to tracks where it’s going to be more difficult for us, because that is exactly what we need to be confronted with to continue to progress,” he said.

A season without a victory would be a significant outcome for both Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. It would be the first winless year for Verstappen and Red Bull since 2015.

Why This Matters

Red Bull’s Baku performance shows that its development programme can deliver meaningful gains even while the team remains behind Mercedes in power-unit deployment and continues to manage degradation issues. The result also provides a clearer test of the RB22’s strengths and weaknesses ahead of the remaining 2026 races.

Mercedes’ upcoming W17 and power-unit upgrades could increase the challenge for Red Bull, making future opportunities more dependent on circuit characteristics and execution. At the same time, Red Bull’s data from difficult tracks will be important as Pierre Wache’s technical group prepares for the larger competitive demands of 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

What upgrades did Red Bull introduce in Baku?

Red Bull introduced its final significant 2026 package for the RB22, including a new floor and revised sidepods. The upgrades improved performance and made the car more comfortable for Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar on the Baku layout.

Why does Max Verstappen consider Baku Red Bull’s best chance to win?

The Baku circuit suited Red Bull’s car characteristics and allowed the team to benefit from strong top speed and improved race pace on soft tyres. Verstappen also believes Mercedes’ planned upgrades in Malaysia could make future victories more difficult.

What is Red Bull’s priority for the rest of 2026?

Red Bull will continue pursuing its first win of the season while using the remaining races to identify weaknesses and gather information for the development of a more competitive 2027 car.