Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Pierre Wache, technical director of Red Bull, believes the team is not at the front of the competitive order heading into the 2026 Formula 1 season, stating that Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren currently appear ahead.
Speaking during the first official pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit, Wache rejected suggestions that Red Bull had established itself as the benchmark despite encouraging early impressions in Sakhir. Internal analysis, he said, places the RB22 behind Ferrari’s SF-26, Mercedes’ W17 and McLaren’s MCL40.
“We are not the benchmark, for sure,” Wache told media, including RacingNews365. “We clearly see the top three teams — Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren — are in front of us, from what our analysis shows. We are behind.”
He acknowledged that assessing performance remains complicated due to varying fuel loads, power modes and run programmes across the field. Nevertheless, Red Bull’s preliminary data indicates a gap to the leading trio.
Mercedes posted the fastest times on the final day of the first test, while McLaren and Ferrari topped the opening two days respectively. However, Wache stressed that Red Bull’s primary focus is internal development rather than external comparisons.
When asked about the RB22’s weaknesses, Wache highlighted low- and medium-speed traction as key areas of concern — an issue also flagged through driver feedback from Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar.
“We clearly see some weaknesses in our car. Low-speed and medium-speed traction — that was not our strength last year, and they are still stronger than us in that area.”
He further noted that the 2026 regulations, with reduced downforce levels, have increased the complexity of managing mechanical grip.
“The challenge to manage traction after low-speed corners is very high, and that could be one of the keys this season.”
Although Verstappen attracted attention in Bahrain with an aggressive energy-harvesting approach — including dropping to first gear to maximise deployment — Wache does not believe that represents a decisive performance advantage.
Ultimately, he suggested that a true assessment of the competitive hierarchy will only become clear when all teams run comparable qualifying fuel levels at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
For now, Red Bull enters the 2026 campaign, by its own technical evaluation, in pursuit rather than in control of the early pecking order.
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