OFICIAL Formula 1

How Red Bull’s 2026 season has played out so far

What happened
Based on Formula 1 · Aug 16, 2026

Red Bull’s 2026 season has been marked by reliability issues and a shift in Max Verstappen’s dominance, with the team currently fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.

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How Red Bull’s 2026 season has played out so far
Formula 1 — Formula 1
Key points
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With Red Bull currently sitting fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, we dissect their season so far in their half term report.
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The new-for-2026 regulations the company is inevitably going to shake up the pecking order and, so far, it’s looked like Red Bull have been the primary victim given they the company is challenging for the 2025 drivers' title right until the end.
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Their season has had its fair share of reliability and balance concerns, as well as speculation surrounding Max Verstappen’s future at the team, but a handful of weekends have offered a glimpse of hope for the remaining rounds.
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But this year has seen a shift in the Dutchman’s fortunes – instead of contesting for wins every week, he had to patiently wait until the fifth round to even make it onto the rostrum.
Key numbers
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Max Verstappen, accustomed to frequent victories, has struggled this season, securing only four podiums in 11 rounds, including a second-place finish in Austria and Hungary.
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Verstappen’s podiums have contributed 109 points to the standings, placing him sixth, while Hadjar sits eighth with 68 points.

Red Bull entered 2026 facing new regulations that disrupted their usual dominance, with the team now fourth in the Constructors’ Championship after challenging for the 2025 title. Reliability concerns and balance problems have plagued their season, alongside speculation about Verstappen’s future. Despite these challenges, a few races have provided optimism for the remaining rounds, as the team works to address persistent issues.

Max Verstappen, accustomed to frequent victories, has struggled this season, securing only four podiums in 11 rounds, including a second-place finish in Austria and Hungary. His highest qualifying positions were front-row starts in Miami, Monaco, and Belgium, though he has yet to claim pole position. Teammate Isack Hadjar has outperformed expectations, leading Verstappen in qualifying at Silverstone and outperforming him in three races where Verstappen retired due to technical issues.

Verstappen’s podiums have contributed 109 points to the standings, placing him sixth, while Hadjar sits eighth with 68 points. Red Bull’s home race in Austria saw Verstappen recover from a Qualifying crash to finish second, narrowly missing a win after a strategic misstep. The team’s rear wing design, inspired by Ferrari’s ‘Macarena’ wing, has caused repeated problems, including spins in Austria and Britain, prompting a temporary return to an older design.

Red Bull’s priority remains securing Verstappen’s future, as key personnel departures and ongoing technical issues—such as balance inconsistencies and downshift complaints—threaten their recovery. Team Principal Laurent Mekies has acknowledged the rebuilding phase, with only 12 rounds left to close the gap to rivals like McLaren and Ferrari. Despite their challenges, the team retains strong assets, including Verstappen, Hadjar, and a Ford power unit partnership.

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