Red Bull heads to the Red Bull Ring for the Austrian Grand Prix, an event that could define their season. The team sit fourth in Constructors' Championship with 89 points, their lowest tally at this stage since 2015. After seven races under the new regulations, they will unveil their upgrade to the RB22. The package seeks to recapture the pace that delivered four wins here.

Barcelona exposed clear weaknesses; Verstappen qualified within 0.3 seconds of pole but finished fourth, 40 seconds off Lewis Hamilton. He admitted the car was “just too slow” and needs four‑to‑five tenths of pace. French rookie Isack Hadjar highlighted poor starts as another deficit. The Austrian package promises significant more downforce and a weight reduction toward the 768 kg minimum.

Verstappen’s contract runs to 2028 but includes a summer‑break clause that frees him if he sits outside the top two by August. Currently seventh and 50 points behind Hamilton, the clause is unlikely to trigger. While the upgrades may narrow the gap to Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren, they alone will not erase the still deficits Red Bull faces.