Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies expressed confidence the team can deliver a faster car for Max Verstappen starting at the Miami Grand Prix, aiming to close a one-second gap to leaders like Mercedes. Verstappen, frustrated by new regulations and inconsistent performance, has struggled to challenge rivals, finishing eighth at Suzuka after Q2 elimination. Despite sixth in the Constructors' Championship, Red Bull faces internal pressure as Verstappen battles unpredictable car balance and battery deployment rules, calling the situation "unsustainable."

Mekies acknowledged Red Bull’s chassis and aerodynamics—not engine performance—are the primary issues, with the team stepping back in China but showing slight improvement in Japan. He emphasized incremental progress, stating improvements at Miami would depend on track feedback. Verstappen, ninth in the Drivers' Championship, admitted driving P7 with current systems is "not fun," but Mekies insisted no discussions about his future have occurred, focusing instead on technical fixes.

The Dutch driver’s frustrations stem from 2026’s rule changes, which Red Bull, building its own power unit with Ford, anticipated would pose challenges. A coolant failure in China and inconsistent starts compound Verstappen’s struggles, though Mekies noted Japan’s race performance was marginally better. With F1’s break approaching, teams will reassess regulations, but Red Bull’s priority remains accelerating Verstappen’s competitiveness.

Formula 1 returns May 1-3 with the Miami GP, a critical test for Red Bull’s development path. Verstappen’s ability to adapt to the car’s limitations will shape the season’s trajectory, as Mekies warned: "We need to understand our problems and bring improvements."