The 2026 Formula 1 season has taken an unexpected turn: Red Bull Racing has lost its lead and is now in sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship, just behind Alpine. This change in positions has been facilitated by the excellent performance of Pierre Gasly, who finished seventh in the Japanese Grand Prix.
Both teams have secured a total of 16 points, but Alpine occupies fifth place due to its better classification. This situation marks a significant contrast compared to the previous season, where Alpine was one of the weaker teams and Red Bull aimed for the world title with Max Verstappen.
Issues with car performance
Red Bull drivers have expressed their dissatisfaction regarding the performance of their vehicle, the RB22. Both Verstappen and his teammate, Isack Hadjar, have found the car difficult to control and have raised doubts about how to improve the situation.
In the qualifying session for the Japanese Grand Prix, Hadjar and Verstappen ended up in a disappointing eighth and eleventh place. Hadjar described the state of the car as “dangerous,” while Verstappen, after an intense battle with Gasly, pointed out that the lack of power on straights complicated his overtaking attempts.
The technical context of the competition
Red Bull has suffered two technical setbacks in the races in Melbourne and Shanghai, where they were in competitive positions. These incidents could have meant a total of 16 points that they now lack, deepening their drop in the standings.
On the other hand, Gasly has made the most of the break that the team took during the previous season to better prepare for the new regulations. He has scored points in every race so far: ten in Melbourne, six in Shanghai, and seven in Suzuka.
Eyes on the future
With this new dynamic, Red Bull is looking to recover during the next trials. They are preparing a tire test at Suzuka, which will take place next Tuesday and Wednesday, hoping that the new changes will bring significant improvements.
The drivers are optimistic and believe that the planned improvements will help reverse the situation. Hadjar mentioned that, despite the current challenges, the engine is competent and that the key lies in the chassis aspects.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
