The Red Bull RB21 upgrade will take centre stage at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, as the team brings a significant package of improvements to support Max Verstappen in his pursuit of the F1 title. Entering the weekend at the Red Bull Ring, Verstappen trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by 43 points and is under pressure to close the gap to a resurgent McLaren squad.
Senior advisor Helmut Marko confirmed that the team will introduce a major update for the RB21 in Austria, with further refinements planned for the next round at Silverstone. Marko made it clear that this development step is critical for the remainder of Red Bull’s 2025 campaign.
“We are now getting an update for Austria, which will then be further refined for Silverstone. But if that does not work either, then it will be difficult in the World Championship. And it is not as if it is not difficult enough already,” Marko explained.
New Red Bull RB21 package targets car balance issues
The need for a Red Bull RB21 upgrade has been clear since the early races of the season. Marko has repeatedly pointed out that the current car has struggled with a narrow operating window and handling inconsistencies, especially over kerbs and through high-speed corners.
“We have been seeing the same tendencies in the car for two years. It jumps over kerbs, has a tendency to understeer when turning in, which then turns into oversteer. In other words, the balance on the rear axle is not right,” Marko said. “But if we are in a very small working window and if the track suits us, like in Jeddah or Suzuka, Imola and Montreal were not too bad either, then it works. But the working window is extremely small.”
Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda will both receive the new aerodynamic kit in Austria. The team’s goal is to unlock more consistent performance across a broader range of circuits and conditions. Red Bull engineers have worked through the cost cap limitations and the demands of future regulation changes to prepare this package.
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The urgency is clear, with Red Bull already running about three tenths of a second behind McLaren in qualifying pace at several recent events. With McLaren taking victories and both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris showing top form, any additional deficit could end Verstappen’s run of championships.
Marko noted, “At some point, however, we will say: ‘That is it for further development’. For two reasons: time – and the production of new parts takes time – and the cost cap. So the question is, where do you spend your resources. I assume that after Silverstone or Spa at the latest, there will be a decision to concentrate entirely on the new car.”
Red Bull’s management faces a strategic dilemma, balancing the resources for a 2025 comeback against the need to focus on the new rules for 2026.
Verstappen weighs in on title prospects as RB21 upgrade arrives
Despite gaining ground on Oscar Piastri after a strong run in Canada, Verstappen remains realistic about the challenge ahead. Asked about his prospects for another title showdown, he replied, “A lot needs to happen for that, to be honest. We need to start winning races more often. And how do we do that? By being more competitive.”
Verstappen continued, “Now, this was a good weekend, but again, not competitive enough. Like I said before, we have our moments where maybe we can win here or there, but we just need to make the car faster. Then we make it a lot easier for ourselves. We are working hard on it with the team. Of course, bits are coming, but is it going to be enough? I do not know. It is small margins in this world that can give you better results every single weekend.”
Verstappen added, “But what I think so far, what McLaren has shown this whole season is quite extraordinary and difficult to beat. So now, okay, one weekend is not as good, but they are still by far the favourites. And that is not going to be something that is easily beaten. But the coming races, we really want to try and improve our car.”
As the Formula 1 paddock gathers in Austria, all eyes will be on the RB21’s performance. For Red Bull, this could be the last chance to salvage their 2025 championship hopes before shifting full attention to 2026.
