Laurent Mekies, Team Principal and CEO of Oracle Red Bull Racing, has concluded that the team experienced a performance regression during the recent Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. Mekies described the event as a ‘very difficult weekend’ for the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
The assessment follows a challenging race where Max Verstappen crashed out on the opening lap. Verstappen’s RB22 made heavy contact with the barriers in the final corner of Circuit Zandvoort, necessitating a red flag.
The four-time World Champion was running in seventh position when he lost control of his car. Pre-race rain had left the track damp, contributing to the incident. Verstappen confirmed he was unharmed after the significant impact.
Mekies, who assumed his role in July 2025, stated there was ‘nowhere to hide’ regarding the team’s pace issues throughout the weekend. He noted a clear step backward compared to their performance before the summer break.
Red Bull Racing has faced a difficult start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, struggling for consistent competitiveness. The team currently sits fourth in the Constructors’ standings, trailing Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren.
The team is also engaged in an ongoing dispute with the FIA over the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system. Red Bull-Ford was designated the benchmark engine supplier, denying them upgrade concessions available to rivals.
Red Bull has formally requested a review of the FIA’s ADUO calculations, which could impact their development opportunities for the current and upcoming seasons. The findings of the second ADUO period are expected shortly.
Separately, Red Bull Racing and McLaren recently lodged appeals against the FIA’s decision to reinstate Pierre Gasly’s Monaco Grand Prix podium. This ruling had demoted Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar from third place.
The appeal hearing for the Monaco incident was scheduled for August 25. This contentious issue stems from an admitted FIA error regarding pit lane speed limit timing.
Despite the team’s current performance challenges, Max Verstappen signed a contract extension with Red Bull Racing until at least the end of 2030. This agreement was announced just prior to the Dutch Grand Prix.
“Performance-wise, there is nowhere to hide. It was a very difficult weekend. It seems like we have made a bit of a step back compared to where we were before the summer break,” Mekies commented.
Mekies indicated that the team must now determine if competitors have implemented more effective upgrades or if specific factors limited Red Bull’s performance at Zandvoort.
