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Verstappen Unveils Austrian Upgrade as Hadjar Debuts

6/25/2026

Summary

Verstappen Upgrade

Max Verstappen said Red Bull’s upgrade package aims to improve the RB22’s lap time at the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix.
Verstappen qualified fifth and finished fourth in Barcelona, moving up after Kimi Antonelli’s late retirement.
Red Bull sits fourth in the constructors’ championship behind McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes.
Isack Hadjar will debut for Red Bull at the Austrian Grand Prix after qualifying near Verstappen in Barcelona and said the package could boost results.

Summary

Verstappen Contract Threat

The Austrian upgrade cuts the RB22 weight to the 768-kg minimum, removing a 12-kg excess, Mekies said.
Mekies warned the upgrade alone will not keep driver Max Verstappen, whose exit clause triggers if he is outside the top two by July 1 and, according to German reports, stays open until October.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff publicly pursued Verstappen for 2027, citing his unhappiness with Red Bull.

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Verstappen Upgrade

Max Verstappen said Red Bull’s upgrade package aims to improve the RB22’s lap time at the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix.
Verstappen qualified fifth and finished fourth in Barcelona, moving up after Kimi Antonelli’s late retirement.
Red Bull sits fourth in the constructors’ championship behind McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes.
Isack Hadjar will debut for Red Bull at the Austrian Grand Prix after qualifying near Verstappen in Barcelona and said the package could boost results.

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