Why progress 'won't satisfy' Red Bull until it can give Verstappen a winning car

Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies has reviewed the team's mixed first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season, acknowledging that while the squad has clawed back significant ground after starting the year as the fourth-fastest team, the progress will not be satisfying until they can give Max Verstappen a race-winning car. Red Bull began 2026 struggling with aerodynamic load and reliability issues with their new in-house power unit, but have since made notable improvements. Despite closing the gap to rivals, drivers remain frustrated with the RB22's unpredictable behavior, and Mekies stressed that consistent competitiveness at the front remains the ultimate benchmark.