A warning that also looks ahead to next season
Toto Wolff believes Red Bull’s recovery deserves serious attention after Max Verstappen’s consecutive wins at Sepang and Singapore. In comments published by Formula1.com on Monday, October 12, the Mercedes boss links the results to the car’s development and the driver’s confidence in its handling. His warning looks especially towards the 2027 competition: Red Bull belongs among the teams capable of fighting at the front. It is not a declaration that the 2026 titles have already been won or lost.
Singapore: two poles and two wins
Verstappen won both the Sprint and Grand Prix after taking pole for each. The final FIA classification awards him 25 points on Sunday and records a 7.335-second margin over Charles Leclerc. Kimi Antonelli finished third, 24.573 seconds behind. Red Bull therefore ended the weekend with wins in both formats, rather than just a fast qualifying lap. The finishing gaps describe that race; they do not, by themselves, measure a technical advantage at every circuit.
Mercedes compared two specifications
Antonelli used the new specification while George Russell ran the previous version. Wolff says the new package requires a different set-up philosophy and has not yet delivered its full expected potential. Mercedes’ official report describes the comparison as a useful experiment. Andrew Shovlin says Antonelli’s specification was the faster of the two by the end of the weekend. The observations are compatible: better understanding of the car does not mean the update has already met its original target.
A podium for Antonelli and a limited recovery for Russell
Mercedes scored 17 points in the Grand Prix: 15 through Antonelli and two through ninth-placed Russell. Russell started P19 following power-unit component penalties. The team described the result as damage limitation at a circuit where overtaking is difficult. Starting positions and strategy matter when comparing the two cars; Russell’s finish cannot be attributed solely to his aerodynamic specification.
Austin will test the development direction
Wolff sees Austin as the next opportunity to consolidate understanding of the update and assess Mercedes’ pace against Verstappen. APEX’s reading is that the warning has two stakes: points over the remainder of this season and development choices for the next. Two consecutive victories confirm Red Bull’s recent form. They do not guarantee the same order in Texas or in 2027. The assessment of progress must evolve with verified performances and statements, rather than turning a threat into an early verdict.
