Red Bull confirms launch performance fix delayed until 2027
Red Bull technical director Laurent Mekies confirmed that fixing the team's launch weaknesses requires hardware changes across the engine, gearbox and clutch. These modifications cannot be completed before the 2027 regulations, though incremental gains are expected through the end of 2026.
Red Bull launch issues persist into 2027
Red Bull technical director Laurent Mekies stated that the team's ongoing launch performance problems involve multiple systems and cannot be resolved with the current car. The issues span the engine, gearbox and clutch, requiring significant design and hardware changes that will only arrive with the 2027 regulations.[1]
Mekies noted that Red Bull has made incremental progress on starts since the start of the 2026 season but remains behind the benchmark. The improved overall pace of the car has made the launch deficit more costly in recent races.[2]
Smaller improvements are still expected before the end of 2026 through ongoing development and race learning. However, Mekies confirmed that becoming the benchmark in launch performance will require the hardware updates planned for next year.[3]
Related reading
- [1]Red Bull admits frustrating F1 problem will not be fully fixed until 2027 (motorsport). Accessed 2026-10-31.
- [2]Red Bull start problems: Laurent Mekies reveals why major changes must wait (planetf1). Accessed 2026-10-31.
- [3]Red Bull says full start fix must wait until 2027 (grandprix). Accessed 2026-10-31.