Red Bull feel they are only the fourth-fastest team

Red Bull Technical Director Pierre Wache has offered a candid assessment of the team's pre-season testing for the 2026 regulations, acknowledging significant room for improvement despite a "remarkable job" by their new in-house power unit division. After the initial Bahrain test, Red Bull estimates they currently lag behind rivals Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari in outright performance. While Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar provided positive feedback on the powertrain, a hydraulic issue on day two hindered Hadjar's track time. The team is now intensely focused on developing the car's balance and addressing identified weaknesses ahead of the final pre-season test, as they navigate the complexities of designing both chassis and engine in-house for the first time.