"Embrace all errors now" – The reason Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar are urging Red Bull to explore new possibilities for 2027.
With seven or eight Formula 1 weekends still to go in 2026 – contingent on developments in the Middle East – Red Bull has two primary goals remaining: ensuring that 2026 doesn’t mark the team’s first winless year since 2015 and, more importantly, gathering insights for the next season.
On the first goal, Verstappen has frequently mentioned that Baku represents Red Bull’s optimal opportunity, thanks to its circuit configuration and the fact that Mercedes has yet to utilize its anticipated upgrade. However, according to the four-time world champion, acquiring knowledge for 2027 may hold even greater significance.
"We need to wait and see how our car performs in the upcoming races, which is probably beneficial for us to experience a variety of tracks," Verstappen stated.
"We’ll likely gain a lot of insights in the coming races regarding what we need for next year and our desired direction for the car.
"Since we aren’t contending for the championship, it’s a substantial learning phase for us. Nonetheless, the last few weekends have certainly improved compared to the beginning of the season."
When Motorsport.com inquired with teammate Isack Hadjar about the main focus for the rest of the year, he also emphasized the learning aspect for 2027. The driver who has broken the jinx of Red Bull’s second seat believes this takes precedence over individual race outcomes.
"It’s good. We should have eight races left, and there’s no pressure. We aren’t fighting for any championship. Now we have eight races to absorb as much knowledge as possible," the Frenchman remarked.
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
"We need to experiment with everything, make all the mistakes now, and learn so we can arrive in 2027 prepared to hit the ground running. That’s the objective and the mindset within the team.
"So we’re going all in until the end and seeing what we can gain from this experience."
Verstappen has already shared that he has ideas for "larger changes" for Red Bull’s 2027 car, adjustments that are necessary to enhance competitiveness and avert the "car degradation" from resurfacing next year.
These alterations cannot be implemented on the RB22 during the current season, due in part to the constraints of the existing chassis and the budget cap.
The Baku package was Red Bull’s last significant upgrade for this year’s contender, although Verstappen has expressed satisfaction with it.
"That was a solid improvement, yes," the Dutchman acknowledged. "But for next year, if we truly want to compete, we need to take a much larger leap. This applies to everything: the car, the power unit, everything."
When it was pointed out by this outlet that Red Bull has limited options for the power unit without an ADUO token, Verstappen replied: "That’s accurate, but we can still refine certain aspects."
When Hadjar was asked if, like Verstappen, he already had specific thoughts on what should be fundamentally different for the RB23, he concluded with an insightful smile: "Yes, absolutely. And we are largely in agreement on those points."
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