Max Verstappen left the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with another podium, but the Red Bull driver is refusing to assume his team has permanently closed the gap to its rivals. Verstappen believes Mercedes could quickly alter the competitive picture if its next upgrade delivers the expected performance gain.
Verstappen finished on the podium in Baku for the seventh time this season, while teammate Isack Hadjar also secured a top-three finish. The result represented an important weekend for Red Bull, particularly after the team introduced new performance-related parts.
However, Verstappen stressed that Azerbaijan should not automatically be treated as evidence that Red Bull will be equally competitive at every remaining circuit.
Verstappen wary of Mercedes upgrade
Asked after the race whether there are upcoming circuits where he expects Red Bull to be similarly competitive, Verstappen admitted that making such a prediction is difficult.
“We don’t know. I mean, if Mercedes brings an upgrade and it works, then they take a step forward. That is not what you want,” Verstappen said during the post-race press conference.
The comment underlines one of the key uncertainties surrounding Red Bull’s position. While the RB22 appeared more competitive in Baku, development by Mercedes or another rival could change the order again within a matter of weeks.
“It makes it even harder to win,” Verstappen added.
Red Bull therefore cannot afford to rely on the Azerbaijan result alone. Verstappen intends to continue exploiting every opportunity available, regardless of whether the car is capable of fighting for victory at a particular circuit.
“We are going to try again every weekend, and if the opportunity is there, of course, we will go for it.”
Red Bull maximised Baku result
Despite his caution, Verstappen was satisfied with what Red Bull achieved in Azerbaijan.
Having both cars on the podium was particularly significant for the team, with Hadjar joining Verstappen in the top three. The Dutchman believes Red Bull extracted virtually everything available from the package during the weekend.
“This is what the team wants: to be on the podium with both cars whenever possible.”
Verstappen also praised Hadjar for his contribution to the result, saying the team had successfully converted its potential into a strong points haul.
“We maximized the result and I think we did that today. So that is very good,” he said.
The result also provided evidence that Red Bull’s recent development work is beginning to deliver useful improvements, although Verstappen remains reluctant to draw broader conclusions from one circuit.
Verstappen praises Hadjar partnership
The relationship between Verstappen and Hadjar has also developed positively, with the Frenchman increasingly contributing strong results alongside the four-time world champion.
“It certainly works very well with Isack within the team and we just need to keep it that way.”
For Red Bull, having both drivers capable of scoring heavily could become increasingly important as the season develops and the battle at the front remains closely contested.
Verstappen nevertheless pointed out that Baku is an unusual test of a Formula 1 car. Its long straights, tight 90-degree corners and distinctive layout mean that performance there does not necessarily translate directly to more conventional circuits.
“It is a unique circuit. It consists mainly of ninety-degree turns,” Verstappen explained.
RB22 still has areas to improve
The Dutchman did acknowledge that the RB22 felt better balanced in Azerbaijan than it had at some previous races.
“In terms of balance, it probably felt a bit more like a single unit.”
That does not mean Red Bull has solved all of its underlying weaknesses, however. Verstappen continues to believe there is significant performance available if the team addresses the remaining problems with the car.
“As I said, we still have other problems with the car that we really need to solve, because there is simply free lap time to be found there. We are working on that.”
The latest Red Bull upgrades therefore appear to have provided encouraging feedback, but Verstappen’s comments suggest development remains the priority.
“The performance items worked well and we were actually reasonably satisfied with what I got from the car all weekend.”
For Red Bull, the challenge now is to determine whether the progress seen in Baku can be transferred to other circuits before Mercedes and its other rivals introduce their own upgrades. Verstappen’s warning is clear: one successful development package from a competitor could quickly change the competitive picture again.
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Alex Stanton is a Formula 1 journalist at TJ13 with a focus on the financial and commercial dynamics that underpin the sport. Alex contributes reporting and analysis on team ownership structures, sponsorship trends, and the evolving business model of Formula 1.
At TJ13, Alex covers topics including manufacturer investment, cost cap implications, and the strategic direction of teams navigating an increasingly complex financial environment. Alex’s work often examines how commercial decisions translate into on-track performance and long-term competitiveness.
With a strong interest in the intersection of sport and business, Alex provides context around Formula 1’s global growth, including media rights, expansion markets, and manufacturer influence.
Alex’s reporting aims to explain the financial realities behind headline stories, helping readers understand how money, governance, and strategy shape the competitive order in Formula 1.
