Formula 1 has an unexpected surprise in 2026, with Red Bull Racing appearing only sixth in the constructors’ championship after three rounds. The team has sixteen points, tied with Alpine and two points behind Haas.
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The scenario draws attention due to the contrast with the team’s recent dominance, which now faces clear performance difficulties. The RB22 lacks pace and left Max Verstappen visibly frustrated in the first races.
After the Chinese GP, the driver summed up the car’s problems bluntly: “A lot of graining (on the tires), you can’t push, terrible pace, terrible balance,” he said. The team principal, Laurent Mekies, also acknowledged significant limitations in the car, while analyses indicate aerodynamic flaws as the main cause, not the power unit.
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Even with the difficult moment, the team’s ability to react is still considered strong. Even after important departures such as Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, and the announcement of Gianpiero Lambiase’s move to McLaren in 2028, the structure remains robust, with updates planned for the Miami GP.
Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer warned not to underestimate the team: “With the resources Red Bull has, you don’t want to give them a month to analyze data, work on the car, and bring updates,” he said. He also highlighted that despite the good start from Haas and Alpine, the trend is that Red Bull Racing will regain ground as soon as it solves its problems and exploits the car’s full potential.
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