…This is what F1 does. It’s a sport of moonshots that rewards those who can rebuild, reinvent, and seize opportunities quicker than anyone else.

This comment on Formula One reminded me of the reality at the heart of modern politics.

Adapt, or die.

This is the choice before us.

During winter, I read a book about the history of Formula One called The Formula: How Rogues, Geniuses, and Speed Freaks Reengineered F1 into the World’s Fastest-Growing Sport.

The best chapter of the book was on the rise of Red Bull Racing, and how the team took 'audacious bets' to become World Champions.

With an aggressive strategy that challenged racing greats like Ferrari and McLaren, Red Bull strived for the best machinery, engine, and driver on track.

This was hard work.

Red Bull started from scratch, buying Ford’s clapped-out Jaguar F1 team for one pound sterling in 2005.

The situation was bleak.

But Red Bull chose to shake it up.

They rebuilt the team with youth.

They reinvented the fundamentals with new aerodynamics.

They seized opportunities at speed.

That’s how they became World Champions by 2010.

Red Bull cracked a few crowns and bloodied a few noses along the way.

The Old Guard didn’t like it. They never do.

In 2011, British driver Lewis Hamilton quipped rather stuffily that “Red Bull are not a manufacturer, they are a drinks company.”

This sporting story reminds us that people often resist change.

And Red Bull’s rise reminds me of our situation in the Liberal Party.

We are way down the grid.

We have a massive job ahead of us to become competitive again.

We are rebuilding the team across the country.

We are reinventing ourselves as we look to a new generation of Australians.

We need to seize political opportunities, quickly.

We need to adapt faster than our opponents.

Because the political consensus of late-stage liberalism is disintegrating across the West.

We see it here in Australia:

... Climate activists are dismantling our strong energy grid, and we are struggling under rising power prices.

... Immigration is out of control. It’s bidding up housing prices and rents, and destroying our fragile social cohesion.

... Families have never had such a rotten deal. Buying a home feels impossible.

... The economy isn't working for regular Australians. Both parents are forced into work to pay the bills. The government is pushing kids into institutionalised childcare.

Everyone is tired and stressed.

The Australian Dream is fading for many.

No wonder people are looking for a political party that channels the disruptive spirit of Red Bull Racing.

That might be you.

Well, I’m hopeful the Liberal Party can wear new racing livery.

We can adapt. We can be more aerodynamic.

We’ve dumped Net Zero. We’re now chasing cheaper and reliable power for all Australians.

We’re working on immigration and family policy.

That will take some time in the pits, but we’ll get it done.

Everything must be on the table policy-wise, because our future is on the line.

If we nail these policy areas, we'll be a high-speed political party, fit to race in 2028.

We’ll be so hot that Anthony Albanese will melt like a Vienetta on a summer race-track.

And just like Red Bull, we’ll put a few noses out of joint.

So be it.

Stay tuned for 2026.