Red Bull F1 tipped to be at the back in 2026

Max Verstappen at Silverstone — Photo: © IMAGO

Formula 1

Red Bull F1 tipped to be at the back in 2026

A huge regulation change is coming next year

Originally written by Chris Deeley. This version is a translation.

Saturday 19 July 2025 17:00

A former F1 driver has tipped Red Bull to be one of the slowest teams in the sport next season if Max Verstappen exits.

The team have faced several key departures over the last 12 months, with senior figures such as Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, and most recently, Christian Horner, having left the team.

The worst could still be yet to come, too, with rumors abound that Max Verstappen could be the next out the door, with very public interest from Mercedes in the reigning world champion's services.

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That would be the worst case scenario for Red Bull, who haven't even found a reliable partner for the Dutchman, never mind lined up his replacement.

The team haven't finished outside of the top four in the constructors' championship since the far-gone days of 2008, when David Coulthard and Mark Webber piloted them to 29 points and seventh place before Sebastian Vettel came in and did as Sebastian Vettel does.

Red Bull will be at the 'back' if Verstappen leaves

Long-time F1 driver Riccardo Patrese has weighed in on the situation now, warning that the number of key departures could see performance fall off a cliff.

“Well," he told Prime Casino, "if Adrian Newey is not there anymore and Verstappen is leaving, then the level of Red Bull is what Tsunoda shows. And where is Tsunoda? In the back.

“At the moment they still live with something that Adrian left. And for next year, there is a completely new car coming that Adrian didn't make. And then if you don't have a driver like Max who can make the difference, then Red Bull will be at the back.”

Just seven of Red Bull's 172 points this season have been provided by drivers other than Verstappen, strongly suggesting that they'll need more than irritating adverts and a claggy aftertaste to turn around their future without the Dutchman.

NASCAR Red Bull Max Verstappen Christian Horner Adrian Newey Jonathan Wheatley