Look at where Red Bull were just a few months ago, struggling badly to adapt to new regulations while Max Verstappen openly weighed his options outside the team. It was a proper crisis. They managed a meagre 16 points across the opening three rounds, trailing far behind Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren. People genuinely wondered if the four-time Drivers' Champion would walk.
Now? They are one of the most terrifying threats on the entire grid. Upgrades have completely transformed the machine, unlocking victories in Malaysia and Singapore and dragging Verstappen right back into the fight for a P2 finish in the standings.
Discussing the machinery on the official F1 Nation podcast, Jolyon Palmer put it bluntly: “I look at the Red Bull with the upgrades and the weaknesses that we used to hear don't seem to be there.” Palmer noted their prowess at kerb riding, adding that while Verstappen once mentioned downshift instability in Singapore, the team quickly dialled it out. “Right now, I don't see a weakness in it,” he stated.
Alex Jacques pointed out the fascinating mechanical detail behind the shift, explaining that an update at the rear of the car finally unlocked the overall balance and gave Verstappen the super sensitive front end he needs to make a difference. With the machine finally working entirely to his liking, Verstappen finished a tenth away in Baku and rattled off every possible win since.
Palmer even argued that this recovery eclipses McLaren's famous turnaround. Consider the numbers: after six races, Verstappen sat 113 points behind Kimi Antonelli. In the 11 races since, he lost just six points to him. “If you started the championship after Monaco, Max will be champion,” Palmer said, adding that the rest of the field now faces a distinct sense of resignation when taking him on.
Much of this stability rests on Team Principal Laurent Mekies, who recently signed a contract extension through the 2031 season. Taking over from Christian Horner when the ship was sinking felt like a poisoned chalice, but Mekies successfully galvanised the factory and secured Verstappen's commitment to 2030.
Jacques highlighted the psychological rebuilding job Mekies undertook upon arrival, reminding personnel of their stature and keeping the focus squarely on winning races when things could easily have spiralled. With the powertrains department firing and absolute stability locked in, Red Bull have pulled off one of the wildest transformations in recent memory.
