Red Bull Racing technical director Pierre Waché has confirmed the team currently holds ‘no confidence in the RB22’ following a challenging first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season. The team has yet to secure a victory during the current campaign.
Waché highlighted the RB22’s unpredictable nature and its significant sensitivity to changing track conditions as primary concerns. This has hindered the team’s ability to extract consistent performance from the car.
The car’s issues extend to a narrow operating window, persistent balance problems, and excess weight. Early power unit reliability issues also contributed to retirements for both Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar.
A hidden steering defect in the initial rounds of the season further impacted driver feel, before the problem was identified and rectified. Despite introducing various updates, Red Bull has not achieved substantial progress.
This contrasts with the development trajectories observed at rival teams such as Ferrari and McLaren, which have shown considerable improvements with their respective updates this season. Red Bull remains broadly the fourth-fastest team.
‘We have fought to the end, and just like the other team, McLaren, I think we are both a bit behind what we did last year,’ Waché stated, reflecting on the season’s performance.
Waché also noted that the RB22 presents a different problem each time it is on track, particularly ‘as soon as you put the car on the ground’. This unpredictability undermines confidence within the team.
Efficiency challenges associated with the in-house Red Bull-Ford power unit also persist. The team is actively working to deepen its understanding of the new technical regulations.
Max Verstappen’s crashes, including incidents linked to rear wing problems at the Austrian and British Grands Prix, have further eroded confidence in the car. Verstappen could face his first winless season since 2015.
Red Bull Racing currently sits fourth in the Constructors’ Standings with 177 points. Verstappen is sixth in the Drivers’ Standings with 109 points.
Teammate Isack Hadjar has shown consistent progress, establishing himself in eighth place in the Drivers’ Standings with 68 points. Hadjar has out-qualified Verstappen three times this season.
Waché maintains that securing race victories remains the core objective for 2026. Red Bull has outlined a continuous development roadmap for the RB22 through the end of the campaign.
