Red Bull facing fresh 2026 doubts as Max Verstappen’s long-term future questioned

There may still be 10 Grand Prix races left in the 2025 season, but every team has already shifted their focus to next year. The 2026 Formula 1 regulation changes are proving to be a challenge for all teams in the paddock.

Adrian Newey has admitted Aston Martin are playing catch-up already, while the updated aerodynamic rules, new power units and a new weight limit are giving manufacturers plenty to think about.

McLaren have set the standard this year, while early signs point to Mercedes possibly having the best power unit lined up for 2026.

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Ferrari have also made adjustments to their current car with next season in mind, hoping it will give Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc an edge when the new rules come into play. Meanwhile, there’s growing uncertainty about how Red Bull will adapt to these changes.

There is uncertainty around Red Bull’s future with Verstappen

Although Max Verstappen has committed his future to the team for at least one more year, there are still doubts surrounding Yuki Tsunoda’s place in the lineup.

New team principal Laurent Mekies and technical chief Pierre Wache know they need to deliver to keep Verstappen happy. Unfortunately for them, early signs from within the camp suggest they might already be falling behind before testing even begins.

Concerns over 2026 engine build growing inside Red Bull

Grada3 has reported fresh information about the work being done at Red Bull Powertrains. Audi and Red Bull are both building their own power units for the first time, with Ford supporting Mekies’ team.

Red Bull are not off schedule or failing to hit targets, but there’s a sense within the team that the engine isn’t coming together as hoped. Some inside have even told others in the paddock that “it looks bad.”