In the ruthless world of Formula 1, each season is a true soap opera, and 2026 is no exception. Max Verstappen, the Dutch prodigy and four-time world champion, seems more concerned about the future of his team than the speed of his car. As rumors of departure circulate, Red Bull must double its efforts to provide him with a winning car, the only thing that could keep him engaged.
Verstappen’s concerns
Just under a year ago, whispers began to rise about Max Verstappen’s possible desire to leave Red Bull, or even Formula 1 itself. The first half of the season was marked by disappointing performances, hinting at the possibility for the Dutchman to activate a clause in his contract. Worse still, his interest in the championship seemed to waver, as he excelled in sim racing and endurance races. It’s as if an F1 driver started dreaming of street racing, a turnaround that does not go unnoticed.
A changing management
Fortunately for Red Bull, a change in management and an improvement in results have helped refocus Verstappen’s mindset. However, the team does not want history to repeat itself. The disdain shown by the driver for the 2026 cars raises questions. Seeing one of the most media-savvy figures in F1 openly criticize the new regulations by comparing them to Formula E is a slap in the face for promoters and a headache for his employers.
In this context, the only lever Red Bull has is performance: to provide Verstappen with the fastest car possible in hopes that victories will follow and he will set aside his reservations.
Red Bull’s response
“It’s not my goal to make him happy,” said Pierre Waché, the technical director of Red Bull, when asked what the team could do to ease the situation. “We can make him happy by winning races.” This perfectly summarizes the team’s philosophy: victory above all. The pressure is palpable, and the need to provide a competitive car is crucial.
Max Verstappen during the Bahrain tests.
A complex regulatory challenge
For Pierre Waché, the mission is clear: to provide Verstappen with the tool that will allow him to fight at the front. The new regulations, on the other hand, fall into an external domain, where discussions with the FIA are essential. Far from immediate technical concerns, Red Bull must focus on improving the car and leave regulatory questions to those who handle them.
In short, convincing Verstappen to embrace the idea of cars being up to 50 km/h slower in fast corners than those of the previous generation is a colossal task, also depending on Liberty Media, the holder of commercial rights, which seems concerned about the negative sentiment emanating from the paddock.
The place of the RB22
As for performance, the place of the RB22 in the hierarchy remains unclear. It is evident that all teams masked their true pace during the Bahrain tests, perhaps with the exception of Aston Martin. While some teams seem to be playing hide and seek with their true capabilities, Mercedes, which has its own reasons for concealing its potential, claims that the first engine designed in-house by Red Bull is ahead in terms of energy deployment.
Max Verstappen at the Bahrain tests.
An uncertain future
Red Bull reacted humorously to Mercedes’ predictions regarding its engine. Max Verstappen himself mocked claims that a trick related to compression ratio would only yield one or two extra horsepower. In a sport where every detail counts, even a small gain can make the difference between victory and defeat.
“It’s hard to say,” admitted Pierre Waché when asked where the Red Bull package stands in the hierarchy. “We are certainly not the reference. The top three teams, Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren, seem to be ahead of us.” This humility in the face of competition is a sign of maturity, but it does not lessen the pressure on the team’s shoulders.
“It seems, according to our analysis, that we are behind,” he added. “However, judging others is complicated due to differences in running programs and fuel levels. For now, our analysis is that Red Bull is the fourth fastest package, but that can change.”
Ultimately, Red Bull knows it must focus on the continuous improvement of its car to meet Verstappen’s expectations and maintain its status in this increasingly competitive championship.
