The Milton Keynes-based outfit arrives in Spielberg fourth in the Constructors’ Championship on 89 points, trailing Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren.
Max Verstappen has been one of the most successful drivers at the Red Bull Ring, claiming five victories at the circuit, including four Austrian Grands Prix and one Styrian Grand Prix. However, Red Bull have struggled to compete under Formula 1’s new regulations and are still searching for their first win of the season.
Verstappen’s third-place finish in Canada remains the team’s best result of 2026, highlighting the gap that has opened up between Red Bull and championship leaders Mercedes.
This weekend also marks an important moment in the team’s history. For the first time, Red Bull competes at its home race using its own power unit. After previously relying on engines supplied by Renault and Honda, the team now races with power units developed by Red Bull Powertrains.
To strengthen its challenge, Red Bull is introducing its second major upgrade package of the season. The latest developments focus on reducing the RB22’s weight to meet, or come very close to, the 768-kilogram minimum limit while also improving aerodynamic performance.
Team principal Laurent Mekies remains cautious despite the arrival of the new parts.
“Our next package of news will arrive in Austria. It’s going to be important and the team at Milton Keynes is working really hard to make it happen,” said Mekies.
He also warned that the upgrades alone will not solve all of Red Bull’s problems.
“But we have no doubt that even when we introduce these new features, they will not be enough. So we will need other news to improve further.”
Those comments reflect the scale of the challenge facing the former champions. Mercedes heads into the weekend with 262 points, well clear of Red Bull’s 89, leaving the Austrian team with significant ground to make up.
The Austrian Grand Prix, taking place from June 26 to June 28 at the Red Bull Ring, offers Red Bull an opportunity to begin that fightback.
