Verstappen and Hadjar want Red Bull to experiment before 2027

In comments reported by Ronald Vording for Autosport on 2 October 2026, Max Verstappen said the different circuits still to come could help Red Bull work out what it needs from its 2027 car. He described the remaining races as a learning opportunity because, in his view, the team is no longer fighting for this year’s championship. Recent weekends had been better than the start of the season, he added.

Asked by Autosport about Red Bull’s main aim for the rest of 2026, Isack Hadjar also focused on learning. He urged the team to try things and “make all the mistakes now” so it can start 2027 better prepared. Hadjar described that approach as the team’s target and spirit.

Verstappen called Red Bull’s Baku upgrade a decent step, but said competing in 2027 would require much greater progress with both the car and power unit. Hadjar said the drivers were largely aligned on the structural changes they wanted, without specifying what those changes were.