Red Bull raise critical McLaren question mark after 'big jump'

Laurent Mekies has praised McLaren's upgrade package at the Hungarian Grand Prix but questioned whether the gains will carry over to different circuits.

The Red Bull team principal saw Max Verstappen finish second behind Lando Norris in Budapest, with both teams locking out the top two positions for the first time this season, ahead of both Ferraris and both Mercedes cars.

It was a result that underlined how far both outfits have come after turbulent starts to 2026, and came off the back of a comprehensive upgrade package for McLaren.

The update was centred on a significant new floor and revised aerodynamic furniture around the front and rear corners of the MCL40, all aimed squarely at improving performance on high-downforce circuits, which the tight and twisting Hungaroring is.

"Yeah, I think the package they brought has certainly given them a big jump," Mekies told media, including RacingNews365, when asked about the step forward taken by the rival team.

"So it is certainly impressive, and let's see how it performs on a different track."

It is also a venue where McLaren have been formidable in recent years, claiming 1-2 finishes in both 2024 and 2025 before Norris made it three wins on the bounce this time around.

The MCL40's short wheelbase rewards the rapid direction changes and rotation that Budapest demands, and with the Hungaroring being energy-rich, it was the perfect location to trial the new parts.

However, whether a floor optimised for high ride heights and softer suspension translates to low-drag, power-sensitive venues like Monza remains to be seen.

"But if I just look at Budapest and the jump they have made, it's certainly quite impressive," Mekies added, who was keen to acknowledge the broader significance of the result for Red Bull, too.

"I think it's the first race where we [Red Bull and McLaren] beat both Ferraris and both Mercedes, but I have to say that McLaren did a very good job with the pace they had."