Red Bull Racing is navigating a challenging 2026 Formula 1 season, with Max Verstappen openly addressing the team’s performance setbacks. The four-time world champion has described the current car issues as ‘complicated’ as the team works to regain its competitive edge. This follows a period of early-season struggles for the Milton Keynes outfit.
Verstappen has been a consistent critic of the 2026 engine regulations, stating he foresaw problems with the new power units years ago. His concerns primarily revolve around the increased emphasis on energy management and automated power deployment.
The Dutchman believes these regulations limit a driver’s ability to make a significant difference on track. He noted that throttle input can negatively impact straight-line speed, a dynamic he considers contrary to traditional racing principles.
Early in the 2026 campaign, Red Bull experienced a difficult start, finding themselves sixth in the Constructors’ standings after the initial three rounds. Verstappen encountered a qualifying crash in Australia and an engine-related retirement in China.
Further performance issues emerged at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix in June. Verstappen reported a pervasive lack of grip and balance, affecting the car’s performance across high, low, and medium-speed sections.
‘We lose in the high speeds, the low speeds, the medium speeds, it’s pretty much everywhere. The whole day [we were] just lacking grip and feeling with the car and balance, so that’s something that we’ll try to work on.’
Technical reliability has also been a concern, notably with the movable rear wing. Verstappen experienced high-speed incidents in Austria and Silverstone due to the wing failing to reattach correctly, causing sudden downforce loss.
This ‘Macarena’ rear wing was temporarily removed for the Belgian Grand Prix. However, Red Bull has since implemented a solution, and the controversial component is set to return for the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix.
Despite these chassis and aerodynamic challenges, the Red Bull power unit department received an early season assessment from the FIA. The governing body judged their combustion engine to be the strongest in the field under the ADUO system.
This ruling, however, prevents Red Bull from introducing further engine upgrades this year, potentially allowing rivals to close the performance gap. Christian Horner, who departed as Team Principal in July 2025, praised the power unit’s early performance.
Red Bull introduced a significant upgrade package in Austria three rounds ago, leading to a more competitive showing. Verstappen has since secured podium finishes in Austria and Spa-Francorchamps.
Verstappen acknowledges an ‘upward trend’ in recent races, with the team making ‘nice improvements’ to the RB22. He remains focused on understanding the car better and returning to winning form.
