Red Bull is finally taking the risks they need

It is a rare, beautiful sight to see Red Bull back on the podium. After Max Verstappen clinched P3 at the Canadian Grand Prix, Team Principal Laurent Mekies made one thing clear: this result was built on a bold willingness to take risks. While the team certainly battled reliability issues and bouncing throughout the weekend, the performance shift that began in Miami is now officially confirmed.

Verstappen's race was a masterclass in improvement, fighting from P6 to P2 before eventually settling for third behind Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. Mekies praised the team's relentless approach, noting that they are pushing to unlock potential even when it costs them in the short term. For his teammate Isack Hadjar, who finished P5 a lap down after dealing with two separate penalties, the weekend provided a steep learning curve that the team intends to use for further development.

Ultimately, Mekies believes the team has closed the gap to the frontrunners since Miami, despite the persistent pressure from competitors with new floor updates. He remains grounded, acknowledging that the track layout might have played a part, but the mandate is set: Red Bull will continue to take the pain that comes with aggressive experimentation to chase the leaders. As Mekies put it, “It’s only an invitation for us to keep taking risks and keep exploring.”