Adrian Newey, now Aston Martin’s Managing Technical Partner, has outlined that the 2026 Formula 1 cars are projected to be significantly slower than current machinery. This assessment from Newey carries weight for drivers such as Max Verstappen, who has also voiced concerns regarding the upcoming regulations.
Newey’s comments, initially made on Red Bull’s ‘Talking Bull Podcast’, highlighted that the current generation of F1 cars could be the fastest seen for some time. The anticipated decrease in speed is attributed to the proposed modifications for the 2026 season.
Key factors contributing to this expected performance reduction include the mandate for 100% biofuel and a stricter fuel allowance. Cars will be limited to a maximum of 70 kilograms of fuel per race, a substantial decrease from the current 100 kilograms.
Max Verstappen has previously expressed his own reservations about the 2026 regulations. He stated that early simulator runs of the new car felt akin to driving in Formula E.
Verstappen first issued these warnings in 2023, noting that his initial criticisms were met with skepticism. He now claims that approximately 90% of his early concerns have proven accurate.
Newey officially departed Red Bull in the first quarter of 2025, concluding a nearly two-decade tenure with the Milton Keynes squad. He subsequently joined Aston Martin on March 1, 2025, with a primary focus on the development of their 2026 car.
Red Bull Racing is currently navigating a challenging 2026 season. The team sits fourth in the Constructors’ standings after 11 races and has yet to secure a Grand Prix victory.
The team is also undertaking the significant task of developing its first in-house power unit in collaboration with Ford for the 2026 regulations. This represents a considerable engineering challenge.
Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged the ‘titanic challenge’ of being competitive under the new regulations. The team opted to delay its full focus on the 2026 project to address issues with its 2025 car.
Pierre Wache, Red Bull’s Technical Director, has also detailed ‘limitations’ within the team’s current 2026 package. These limitations include issues with stability on entry and mid-corner understeer.
Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull now includes a break clause, which became active earlier this season. His position in the Drivers’ Championship is currently sixth.
Newey has previously commented that Verstappen will ‘always chase who he thinks will produce the fastest car.’ This perspective adds to the ongoing speculation surrounding Verstappen’s long-term future at Red Bull if the team struggles to deliver a competitive 2026 car.
Despite his move, Newey continues to work on the Red Bull RB17 hypercar project, a separate venture from the Formula 1 car development. He was also observed inspecting Verstappen’s RB22 at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July 2026.
