2026 Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team

[Wouter]

I have the feeling Max wants to jump ship now that they are no longer the "fastest".

Bit of a shame - was hoping he's up to the challenge.

.
Yeah, in the last 10 years he always wanted to jump ship when he wasn't the fastest!!

The FIA ruined the sport by their battery WC. THAT is why he lost his fun in racing F1 because it isn't racing anymore!!

I know you are a huge Lewis fan so your statement doesn't surprise me at all.

[Wouter]

Laurent Mekies: Relishing Red Bull Challenge | F1 Beyond The Grid Podcast

1 apr 2026 F1 Beyond The Grid Podcast
Red Bull Racing were at a crossroads when Laurent Mekies took over as Team Principal halfway through 2025. After a difficult first half of the season, should they continue working on their 2025 car or write that year off and prioritise the new regulations for 2026?

Their decision to stay focussed on the ‘25 car paid off, with Max Verstappen going from more than 100 points behind to missing out on the title by just two points. But in this new era of Formula 1, Red Bull have fallen down the pecking order after a difficult start to the season.

Speaking to Tom Clarkson, Laurent explains why they didn’t switch full focus to 2026 earlier and whether they’re now paying the price for last year’s turnaround.

Laurent also talks about how different his experience as a Team Principal is at Red Bull compared to Racing Bulls. He shares insight into what Max Verstappen is like outside of the car, the Dutchman’s future with the team and how Isack Hadjar is settling into his new surroundings.

Plus, with Red Bull making their own power units for the first time this year, Laurent tells Tom why he describes their Powertrains project as a ‘crazy challenge’ that only a team like Red Bull could take on.

[PlatinumZealot]

I have the feeling Max wants to jump ship now that they are no longer the "fastest".

Bit of a shame - was hoping he's up to the challenge.

I think that's apt. After his father colluded with Marko to destroy the team, it's the best Max can do to perfectly finish off this team. Mintzalaf played to their demands and look where this team has landed. If they sell this team now, they make decent money. If they wait for a few years in the hope of a revival, which may never come, then they have to sell it for like half the current price when it becomes a lower midfield team.

BYD is looking for an F1 team and they may pay good bucks for this team.

Are you saying that the Verstappens sucked every last drop of milk from the cow and are de-latching from the dried husk of a corpse?

I don't think that RedBull is done yet. They prove they can develop without Newey and Max has clearly said RedBull will be last team. I see him fulfilling his long term contract because I get the impression the Verstappen's stick to their word.

[les arcs]

I have the feeling Max wants to jump ship now that they are no longer the "fastest".

Bit of a shame - was hoping he's up to the challenge.

.
Yeah, in the last 10 years he always wanted to jump ship when he wasn't the fastest!!

The FIA ruined the sport by their battery WC. THAT is why he lost his fun in racing F1 because it isn't racing anymore!!

I know you are a huge Lewis fan so your statement doesn't surprise me at all.

And of course Wouter you’re well known for your balanced views……

[SiLo]

I think it's more that Max knows it won't be a single season thing. Mercedes likely have an advantage locked in for a while unless the regs get changed short notice.

[f1isgood]

Red Bull does not get the power deficit advantage according to the rumors on the other threads. Damn, what a fantastic job Hodgkinson and company pulled off. Even more crazy that Red Bull are doing it without the compression trick.

Wache's turn to fix the chassis and show that Red Bull can fight for wins this year. It's very early in the regulations and even if the car is as bad as the W13 was, they should be able to develop it to win races, like the W13 did.

[ScottR267]

https://racingnews365.com/max-verstappe ... ges-report

[gearboxtrouble]

Red Bull does not get the power deficit advantage according to the rumors on the other threads. Damn, what a fantastic job Hodgkinson and company pulled off. Even more crazy that Red Bull are doing it without the compression trick.

Wache's turn to fix the chassis and show that Red Bull can fight for wins this year. It's very early in the regulations and even if the car is as bad as the W13 was, they should be able to develop it to win races, like the W13 did.

While impressive its a bit of an own goal because Ferrari seems to be a lock to get that boost and McLaren will figure out the Mercedes PU soon enough, leaving Red Bull far behind with a weight problem that doesn't seem easy to fix and aero balance issues. They should have started with a less developed spec on the PU so that they could guarantee ADUO qualification. It feels like Ferrari and Audi did exactly that and now stand to benefit hugely.

[Valeo]

As per AutoRacer IT, the RB22 will only be able to reach the minimum weight with a new chassis in 2027.

In the meantime, updates are expected to deliver at least a 5kg reduction in the short term, likely by Silverstone.

https://x.com/i/status/2040758412842324448

[f1isgood]

Red Bull does not get the power deficit advantage according to the rumors on the other threads. Damn, what a fantastic job Hodgkinson and company pulled off. Even more crazy that Red Bull are doing it without the compression trick.

Wache's turn to fix the chassis and show that Red Bull can fight for wins this year. It's very early in the regulations and even if the car is as bad as the W13 was, they should be able to develop it to win races, like the W13 did.

While impressive its a bit of an own goal because Ferrari seems to be a lock to get that boost and McLaren will figure out the Mercedes PU soon enough, leaving Red Bull far behind with a weight problem that doesn't seem easy to fix and aero balance issues. They should have started with a less developed spec on the PU so that they could guarantee ADUO qualification. It feels like Ferrari and Audi did exactly that and now stand to benefit hugely.

There is no own goal here. The engine team delivered. The chassis team failed. You cannot use hindsight to call it an own goal.

[Paa]

Red Bull does not get the power deficit advantage according to the rumors on the other threads. Damn, what a fantastic job Hodgkinson and company pulled off. Even more crazy that Red Bull are doing it without the compression trick.

Wache's turn to fix the chassis and show that Red Bull can fight for wins this year. It's very early in the regulations and even if the car is as bad as the W13 was, they should be able to develop it to win races, like the W13 did.

This could also explain why Max did not move to Merc. Probably he got some figures from Toto when he tried to lure him and Max saw that RBPT will be in the ballpark on engine side so it made sense for him to stay and see what happens.
From aero side he could have expected to be at least on par if not ahead based on past few years. Such a big deficit coming from chassis alone certainly was not anticipated by anyone within Red Bull. There was no reason for him to move.

[stephen]

As per AutoRacer IT, the RB22 will only be able to reach the minimum weight with a new chassis in 2027.

In the meantime, updates are expected to deliver at least a 5kg reduction in the short term, likely by Silverstone.

https://x.com/i/status/2040758412842324448

It is not easy to fix weight issues fix mid-season. The whole 2026 season is likely going to be a tough for the Red Bull.

[carisi2k]

Weight is only one issue. The front end is the real problem. The RB22 has terminal under steer which we know Max hates and then there is the drivetrain issue with the gear changes that they still seem to have. Getting that weight off would be nice but Red Bull need to focus on other things other then aero and cooling solutions and figure out how to fix the main issues with the car.

[Valeo]

[pantherxxx]

Like Horner said. Change your f*cking car!