Red Bull Formula 1 advisor Helmut Marko believes the team’s turnaround at the Italian Grand Prix 2025 has unlocked the potential for success at its weaker circuits.
Max Verstappen dominated McLaren at Monza, just one year after Red Bull’s worst weekend at the same track. This marked a major breakthrough for the RB21 car and boosted hopes for the rest of the F1 2025 season.
Mekies’ New Approach Boosts Red Bull
Under new team principal Laurent Mekies, Red Bull put greater emphasis on driver input. Simulations had previously misled engineers while trying to fix the RB21’s balance problems. Verstappen pushed for a lower downforce set-up in Monza, which proved decisive.
Verstappen’s third win of the season is considered pivotal. Marko stressed the importance of finally overcoming Monza’s weaknesses.
“For Baku, the fast circuits, I’m very optimistic. I am hopeful for Singapore, the only race we didn’t win so far,” Marko told Motorsport.com. “Normally on slow circuits [we struggle], but I believe now everything is possible in this period.”
Eye on Singapore After Baku
Marko also highlighted Red Bull’s hopes for the next races. The team expects to compete strongly in Baku. However, Singapore will be the ultimate test, as Red Bull has historically struggled there due to slower, bumpy track conditions.
Speaking to ServusTV, Marko said: “I believe that with the speed we’ve shown, we should hopefully be able to compete on our own merit at almost every circuit. Singapore would be special — it’s the only race we’ve never won. But maybe it’ll work out there too.
“We’re still fine-tuning and refining things. If we can keep improving like this, that would be fantastic. The championship is gone, but a few more wins would be very nice.”
Upgrades and a “Rebirth” Spirit
Red Bull introduced a revised floor at Monza, which Verstappen used effectively. Yuki Tsunoda is set to get the same upgrade in Baku. Marko admitted the team is nearly out of upgrades as focus shifts to 2026.
Still, he credited Mekies’ engineering approach as the biggest factor. “The difference is that the preparation is a different one,” Marko explained. “Laurent is an excellent engineer, so it’s more about: Take whatever the simulation is showing you, but mix it with the experience like Max has or the experience our engineers have. Make a car which is predictable and driveable.
“Basically it’s the same [car]. Some updates were coming and they were working, but 20 seconds on McLaren, I wouldn’t have predicted that.
“This feels like a rebirth for us — we’re all overjoyed. The atmosphere is fantastic, and the Red Bull spirit is back.”
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