Red Bull Handed Brutal Verdict After 'Basic Problems' Onslaught in 2026

The 2026 season is proving to be a baptism of fire for Red Bull as a full power unit manufacturer, and the results so far are far from smooth. Both Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar have lost significant points due to component failures, keeping the Milton Keynes squad firmly in the spotlight. Now, former Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley has delivered a scathing assessment: Red Bull deserves a mid-season rating of just 5 out of 10.

According to Smedley, Red Bull's issues are not minor hiccups but fundamental errors that keep recurring. "Red Bull should just be doing so much better," he said on the High Performance Racing podcast. "They've had too many basic problems. Like Max says, there's a different problem every weekend. It's not something contained; it's always something quite big."

Verstappen has been the most vocal victim. The Dutchman has twice crashed or spun due to sudden rear-wing failures, forcing Red Bull to temporarily remove the inverted version of the component. This is a bitter irony for a team that has just clinched four consecutive constructors' titles but now finds itself fighting for mere finishes.

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When the car runs reliably, Max Verstappen has been able to challenge for and secure podiums. However, a first win of the season remains elusive, both for the Dutchman and the Austrian outfit. Red Bull's inability to perform consistently has cost them crucial points in the championship standings.

Smedley's verdict comes amid mounting pressure on Red Bull. As a first-time engine manufacturer, they have a steep learning curve, but "basic" errors are proving to be their undoing. With technical support from Ford, expectations were high, but the reality on track shows there is still a long way to go.

For fans, Red Bull's 2026 season feels like a roller coaster. There are promising moments, but also painful breakdowns. The question now is whether Red Bull can turn things around in the second half of the season, or if these issues will continue to haunt them and derail their title aspirations.