“The Only Mindset That Fits Red Bull”, claims Red Bull team principal, but is Red Bull a genuine Formula 1 title contender for Max Verstappen in 2026? While their rivals rely on long-established engine programmes, Red Bull Powertrains is still in its infancy. Even if Red Bull finds itself ‘flying blind’ during the opening races, the long-term objective remains unchanged. Red Bull opted not to run on the final day of testing, choosing instead to keep its third day in reserve. Consequently, Red Bull engineers had to adopt more conservative cooling solutions than initially intended, particularly at the rear of the car.