Red Bull will unveil their new car for the 2025 Formula 1 season the RB21 at the F1 75 launch event, yet Sebastien Buemi has just issued a ‘compromise’ admission already.
All Formula 1 teams are obliged to hide their 2025 race liveries until the official F1 75 launch event at The O2 on February 18. But it has not stopped some teams from taking to a track to get some early laps completed, with McLaren’s Silverstone shakedown unveiling the MCL39.
McLaren were the first Formula 1 team to take the covers off their new car, which they hope can again deny Red Bull a title in 2025. While Max Verstappen won his fourth drivers’ title in as many seasons, McLaren took the F1 constructors’ championship title away from Red Bull.
Red Bull face a ‘compromise’ sacrificing the 2025 titles for F1’s new 2026 car regulations
Buemi is adamant that Red Bull will not just ‘give away’ the drivers’ and teams’ titles in 2025 as Ferrari and Mercedes look to join the Milton Keynes natives and McLaren in sealing titles. But the former Toro Rosso star admits Red Bull will have to make a ‘compromise’ eventually.
All 10 teams face a difficult juggling act this year given the introduction of F1’s 2026 engine and chassis regulations. Some squads have even already sacrificed this term, with Williams focusing on the 2026 regulations already believing the rule changes should be their priority.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links
But as Red Bull are a championship contender, simulator driver Buemi says they will go into the 2025 F1 season with both years as their focus. Only if, or when, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes the titles are out of reach will the 2026 rules become their focus.
“We focus on both years,” Buemi has told RacingNews365. “We’re not going to give away a championship just like that. But at some point – somewhere in the year – if you feel like you can’t achieve much in the season, you’re going to switch the focus a bit.
“Some teams have already switched focus to ‘26. We try to develop both, but at some point there will be a compromise.”
Red Bull will listen to ‘important’ Sebastien Buemi’s feedback on their 2026 F1 car
Red Bull listen intently to Buemi’s feedback in his duty as a simulator driver, with team boss Horner often praising his input. Horner was especially grateful for Buemi’s role in improving Red Bull’s car over the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and the Singapore Grand Prix last season.
Buemi spends hours in Red Bull’s simulator through a Grand Prix weekend trying to improve the set-up Verstappen races. He spent circa 10-11 hours in the sim when the Dutchman was fifth in FP1 at Imola before Verstappen held off Lando Norris to win the Emilia Romagna GP.
Horner also called Buemi an ‘important part’ after spending hours in the sim to see Red Bull improve the package with which Verstappen came second in the Singapore GP, after P6 and P5 in the Italian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix before. So, Red Bull will listen to Buemi in 2025.
The 36-year-old’s input will be especially important this year as Red Bull design their car for 2026 while still trying to bring upgrades to their 2025 challenger. And with McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes looking to deny Red Bull in 2025, his race weekend efforts could be essential.
Leave feedback about this