Formula 1 is about to witness an unexpected turn in 2026, with Red Bull plunged into an internal storm that threatens to sink its aspirations. After the departure of Sergio “Czech” Pérez, the Austrian team faces a crisis that goes beyond the track, with tensions that have turned the team into a polvorín. The disputes between Jos Verstappen, father of the world tricampeón Max Verstappen, and Christian Horner, head of the team, have climbed to critical levels, according to sources close to the German paddock. This confrontation is fracturing the structure of Red Bull, leaving the team on the verge of a competitive collapse.
Max Verstappen, the Red Bull pillar, has surprised to admit that its chances of conquering a new title in 2026 are practically null. The main reason, according to the Dutch pilot, lies in the lack of competitiveness of the team, which seems to be losing its technical advantage. In a notable contrast with the tireless mentality of Fernando Alonso, who continues to fight for each position regardless of the circumstances, Verstappen has suggested a worrying lack of motivation. Without a clear championship objective, the pilot seems to be facing a void that could affect his performance on the track.
The heart of the technical problem of Red Bull lies in its engine by 2026, which according to Horner faces serious development challenges. Unlike previous years, when the team dominated with impeccable engineering, the current engine lacks the necessary power and reliability to compete with rivals such as McLaren. Verstappen, meanwhile, has ruled out taking a sabbatical year, but his future in a team that he describes as “less competitive” generates uncertainty. Can the tricampeón keep its competitive fire in such an adverse environment?
The internal situation in Red Bull is no less alarming. Tensions between Horner and Jos Verstappen have created a toxic atmosphere that threatens to destabilize the team further. The power struggles, combined with a questioned management, have led to speculate on the future of Verstappen in Formula 1. Some rumors suggest that the Dutch could explore alternative categories such as GT3 to stay active, while the opportunities to fight for victories in F1 vanished.
From the technical point of view, the Red Bull car for this season has shown critical weaknesses. Problems such as the lack of grip, difficulties in fast and slow curves, and excessive wear of the tires have put the team at a disadvantage against competitors such as McLaren. In addition, the phenomenon of survival and subviring has complicated driving, limiting the performance of the car. To this is added the criticism of Verstappen for its lack of harmony with engineers, which has resulted in less optimal configurations that affect the general performance of the team.
The pilot’s mistakes have not gone unnoticed. Throughout the season, Verstappen has lost between 25 and 30 crucial points due to track failures, further away from the fight for the championship. His attitude, which reminds of Lewis Hamilton in his most difficult years, reflects a resignation that worries fans. If there is no title at stake, will they continue to give the maximum in each race?
Despite this gloomy panorama, Red Bull maintains a base of passionate followers worldwide, from Europe to Latin America. The team has taken advantage of platforms such as YouTube to connect with their audience, sharing detailed analysis and thanks to fans. These initiatives seek to keep the hope of a recovery alive, although the road to 2026 seems full of obstacles.
In summary, Red Bull faces an uncertain future in Formula 1. The internal disputes, the technical problems and the attitude of its main star paint a complicated scenario for 2026. While fans await a miracle that returns the team to the top, reality suggests that the “Titanic Bull” could be sailing to turbulent waters. The next months will be key to determining whether Red Bull can overcome this crisis or if, on the contrary, it will sink into competitive oblivion.
