A critical sequence of races is now on the horizon for Red Bull as their championship ambitions - and wider future - hang in the balance.
The team, whose dominance in Formula 1 has waned over the course of the 2024 season, is set to introduce a major series of upgrades in Austin this weekend.
Austin marks the beginning of a triple-header, with races in Mexico and Brazil to follow, before just three more events close out the season.
"Austin as the last chance in the title fight?" the German specialist magazine Auto Motor und Sport asks.
Lando Norris is currently trailing Max Verstappen by 52 points, but unless Red Bull makes significant strides starting in Austin, the McLaren driver could still be in serious contention for the championship.
"It would of course be depressing if you had such a lead like Max still does and then you lose out at the very end," former F1 driver Timo Glock told DPA.
"A depressed Max Verstappen would be the worst-case scenario for Red Bull. I think he'd then certainly be looking elsewhere for the future.
"The next three races will definitely be decisive in which direction the world championship will go - especially for Max. So they will also be a bit decisive for the future."
Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko remains hopeful, describing Monza as the team's "low point," after which they have been steadily improving. "Baku went a bit better and Singapore was a clear improvement," he said to motorsport-magazin.com.
"We assume now that the trend that we saw in Singapore and Baku can continue. A few changes can bring about the necessary turnaround," Marko added.
With so much at stake, Red Bull's efforts will not only be focused on enhancing their own car but also on destabilising McLaren. After the FIA cracked down on McLaren's 'mini DRS' rear wing, Red Bull is now targeting their front wing.
"The most dangerous thing now is their flexible front wing," Marko stated.
"The front wing works together with everything - the floor, the rear wing, everything."
He voiced his frustration that the FIA has not yet intervened in the matter of McLaren's front wing.
"It can't be that you pass the tests, but then the camera shows that something completely different is happening during the race," the 81-year-old said.
Marko admitted that it's too late for Red Bull to try to copy McLaren's wing.
"On the one hand, it's about the world championship," he noted, "but on the other hand, 2025 is just around the corner. I don't think anyone will be tinkering too much with the 2025 cars next year.
"It is very important that we move in the right direction and that the previous mistakes are corrected."
