DEEP DIVE: Can Red Bull continue their ‘rebirth’ at the Azerbaijan GP?

Red Bull raced to a commanding victory at Monza, and their Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko didn’t mince words: that win wasn’t just another peaky performance—it feels like a “rebirth” for the team. Marko praised the shift in philosophy under new leadership, including changes in setup, driver input, and an engineering mindset that blends simulation with real experience. 

Monza to Baku

That Monza result—where Max Verstappen crushed McLaren by over 19 seconds—served as more than a morale boost. It demonstrated that updates (like a revised floor) and a more “predictable, driveable” car had started to solve some of Red Bull’s weaknesses this season. Marko’s expectation now is that this newfound pace might carry over to other circuits, especially those that favor high speed.

So as the series heads to Baku for the Azerbaijan GP (Race 17), there’s reason to believe Red Bull could be serious contenders—not just for top-5s or podiums, but potentially a win or two, depending on how everything lines up. Let’s break down what gives them a chance, what could hold them back, and what we should watch for.

What Helps Red Bull in Baku

Monza Momentum & Upgrades

The recent Monza win wasn’t just symbolic. Marko has said that the floor upgrade used in Monza, plus changes in how the team uses simulation vs driver feedback, have made the car better balanced. Baku’s layout includes several high-speed straights, and Red Bull tends to perform well when they get the drag and balance right.

Verstappen showed confidence in Monza, which is important psychologically; this can translate into pushing harder in qualifying and strategy execution in Baku. Marko’s phrase “the Red Bull spirit is back” underscores that more than just the car has regained shape.

Favourable Circuit Elements

Baku is interesting because of its mix: long straights, fast-kinked boulevards, narrow technical sections around the Old City, and tight walls. When a car has low drag and a stable balance, it can shine. If Red Bull’s updates are holding up, they may extract an advantage here.

It’s also “fast circuit weather” in Marko’s view—he’s said he’s “very optimistic for fast circuits” and believes that Baku, being somewhat fast, fits into what Red Bull are now doing well.

Driver & Morale Edge

Verstappen is motivated. After Monza, Marko and the team seem energized. That kind of internal momentum can lead to better qualifying performance, sharper strategy calls, and fewer mistakes.

Also, when the team believes in what they’re doing—when engineers, mechanics, and drivers feel aligned—that often leads to incremental gains that matter, especially in street circuits or circuits with tight margins like Baku. Marko highlighted that the atmosphere is improved at Red Bull post-Monza. 

What Could Stand in Their Way

Street Circuit Challenges & Tight Margins

Baku’s Old City section is notoriously narrow. Walls are close. It’s a circuit where one small mistake can cost dearly. If Red Bull misjudge setup or struggle with kerb-ride or bumpiness, it could compromise lap times or cause incidents.

Qualifying will be vital. Starting position matters immensely in Baku because overtaking isn’t always easy in the tight bits. If Red Bull aren’t at the very front in qualifying, it’s harder to convert that into a win.

Tire Management & Strategy Risk

Because of the mixed speed profile (straights + twisty sectors), the tires will make a difference, especially with soft compounds and thermal load. If Red Bull push too hard early, they might risk degradation or struggle more than teams who are more conservative.

Strategy calls are always key in Baku. Pit-stop timing, reacting to safety cars, traffic, etc. Red Bull will need sharp strategic execution.

McLaren’s Pace & Championship Pressure

McLaren are far ahead in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ standings. Even if Red Bull do perform strongly, McLaren’s consistency is hard to match. McLaren might be playing a defensive game, focusing on securing the championship rather than going all-out every weekend—if that gives Red Bull a small opening, they’ll need to exploit it.

Also, Ferrari or Mercedes could disrupt things. Red Bull can’t assume Baku will be like Monza; every track has its own quirks.

What to Watch

• Qualifying: If Verstappen can beat the McLarens in qualifying, that would hint that Red Bull’s Monza improvements have real transferability.

• Use of Upgrades: Marko has said Yuki Tsunoda is expected to receive the updated floor for Baku. How both cars perform with the latest spec will be a signal.

• Fast-Speed Sectors & Drag Setup: How Red Bull handles drag vs downforce trade-offs will be visible on the long straights and braking zones. If they nail that, they’ll be strong.

• How clean Red Bull can stay in traffic: Navigating traffic, avoiding wall contact, managing safety-car interruptions will matter much more than raw pace in some parts of the lap.

Final Thoughts

Helmut Marko’s “rebirth” line isn’t just coach talk—it reflects observable changes in Red Bull’s performance trajectory. The Monza victory showed solutions are working: car balance has improved; driver feedback is being better integrated; upgrades are paying off.

Azerbaijan provides one of the best opportunities to test whether Monza was a peak or a turning point. If Red Bull can replicate speed, grab a strong qualifying position, and manage the street-circuit risks, they stand a strong chance of podiums or maybe even a win. It might not change the championship outcome—McLaren’s lead is big—but it can reshape perceptions, restore momentum, and remind the paddock that Red Bull is still very much in the fight.

For fans, Baku might be a litmus test: is Red Bull back? If the Monza “rebirth” carries over, we’ll find out soon.