Verstappen urges Red Bull to use 2025 as data for 2026 rules

Max Verstappen has urged Red Bull to keep faith in the 2025 season rather than write it off, arguing the current campaign can still yield valuable lessons ahead of a major regulatory reset in 2026. With Verstappen trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by 97 points and Red Bull sitting 365 points behind McLaren in the Constructors’ standings, the Dutch driver stressed that the team must extract knowledge from the season while continuing preparations for the new rules that will reshape the sport. Ten races remain, and Verstappen insisted there is still opportunity to learn about the RB21 and to position the squad for a stronger push in 2026.

The gap to McLaren has intensified the pressure on Red Bull, but Verstappen framed the season as a potential stepping-stone rather than a lost cause. He acknowledged the challenge of closing a substantial points deficit, yet remained focused on maximizing every remaining opportunity. “Realistically, it’s going to be very difficult to fight McLaren,” he said, while emphasizing that the team can still gain meaningful insights from what has happened this year. He also stressed that the current car and its behavior must be studied to inform...