Can Red Bull Overtake McLaren in the Final Stretch of the Season?

After two consecutive years at the pinnacle of Formula 1 with back-to-back world titles, McLaren now faces the very real threat of slipping to fourth in the constructors' championship—highlighting the latest shift in the pecking order under the current technical regulations.

Red Bull has charged back into contention for third place, slashing the deficit to just seven points with six rounds remaining in the campaign. Max Verstappen's consecutive victories in Malaysia and Singapore have revitalised the Milton Keynes-based outfit, taking them to 332 points against McLaren's 339.

This resurgence stems from a comprehensive upgrade package introduced at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Revisions to the sidepods, floor, and cooling configuration on the RB22 appear to have resolved the balance and handling issues that troubled Verstappen earlier in the season.

McLaren, meanwhile, has suffered a noticeable dip in form. Since introducing a revised floor in Hungary, the MCL40 has struggled for pace across recent flyaway races, with corner-entry instability becoming a persistent headache. Inconsistent outings from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri—compounded by a scoreless weekend in Baku—have allowed their rivals to rapidly close the gap.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella confirmed that the team will introduce phased development updates over the remaining rounds in an effort to halt their recent slide.

Against this backdrop, Ferrari sits comfortably clear in second place. With 444 points—more than 100 ahead of both McLaren and Red Bull—the Scuderia looks out of reach. Even so, the Maranello squad is preparing a final major aerodynamic upgrade for Austin, featuring a redesigned floor and refined bodywork on the SF-26.

The fight for third place has emerged as the most fiercely contested battle of the run-in. Over the final six races, the outcome will hinge on whether McLaren's incoming updates can halt Red Bull's surging momentum.