Red Bull set date for major update Max Verstappen is ‘craving’, Japanese Grand Prix changes were just the start

Red Bull were one of very few Formula 1 teams to run updates at the Japanese Grand Prix and reaped the rewards as Max Verstappen took his first win of the 2025 season.

Most crews resisted taking updates to Suzuka with the challenge of producing new parts for a demanding circuit like the Honda-owned track. Fred Vasseur admitted that Ferrari opposed taking upgrades to Japan owing to the costs and the risks of damage to a front wing or floor.

But Red Bull utilised the opening leg of the first triple-header of the 2025 F1 season to unveil an overhauled engine cover at the Japanese GP. It was created to improve the effectiveness of the beam wing on their RB21, plus increase the outwash towards the rear wing endplates.

While it was not a major upgrade, Verstappen made use of Red Bull’s changes to secure pole position and win the Japanese GP. He now sits just one point behind McLaren’s Lando Norris in the lead of the 2025 F1 drivers’ championship ahead of this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.

Red Bull will answer Max Verstappen’s pleas with a major update at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

The changes that Red Bull introduced at the Japanese GP are also just the start as the team from Milton Keynes look to slash their deficit to McLaren. According to RacingNews365, Red Bull will have their first major update at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix when F1 visits Imola.

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Imola will stage the first European race of the 2025 season on May 16-18 following F1’s trips to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Miami. Red Bull aim to utilise the start of F1’s European tour to present new parts they especially hope can further improve the balance of their tricky RB21.

Verstappen has rued the RB21’s inconsistent balance this season but he can manage a sharp front end and a loose rear better than most drivers. Still, the 27-year-old is ‘craving’ updates that improve the balance of Red Bull’s car as they would afford Verstappen more confidence.

Max Verstappen must try to cling onto Lando Norris’ championship lead until Imola

Red Bull are not the only team planning on taking new parts to the Emilia Romagna GP, too. Aston Martin intend to take significant upgrades to Imola in May as the Miami Grand Prix is almost a lost weekend being on its own in the calendar and it also being an F1 Sprint event.

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Verstappen will hope having to endure three more rounds without any major updates does not harm his championship defence. While Verstappen utilised Red Bull overhauling his set-up to take pole at Suzuka, the Dutchman cannot rely on always being perfect to fight Norris.

Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri will be desperate to hit back in Bahrain after Suzuka’s resurfaced track negated McLaren’s tyre advantage. The fresh asphalt was far less abrasive, which removed McLaren’s major edge over Red Bull in keeping life in their tyres for longer.