Red Bull heads to its home race in Spielberg with the RB22 undergoing a second upgrade, a move that has intensified speculation about Max Verstappen’s contract. After halving the car’s 12kg excess in Miami, team principal Laurent Mekies says the Austrian package aims to shave the current deficit of three‑tenths of a second per lap. All eyes will be on the car’s performance this weekend.

Verstappen told Autosport on Thursday that the upgrades so far have been the easier fixes, and the real challenge lies in the final steps needed to win. He highlighted lingering issues with downforce, grip and kerb riding, noting the car remains heavy and off‑balance across both high‑ and low‑speed corners. The Dutch champion stressed the team must find incremental gains each race.

The Austrian upgrade will not alone restore Red Bull to win‑contending form, Mekies admits, but it serves as a barometer for Verstappen’s patience. With rivals constantly introducing their own parts, the Dutchman warned that a fourth‑place standing heading into the summer would be unacceptable. Ultimately, the weekend will reveal whether the package narrows the gap enough to keep the champion in the team’s long‑term plans.