Red Bull hit by another senior exit as Ferrari innovation faces 2027 ban

Red Bull faces another senior departure as it fights to stabilize its 2026 campaign, while Ferrari is set to lose a technical innovation under 2027 rules as Formula 1 gathered in Spielberg for the Austrian Grand Prix. Friday practice added further intrigue as McLaren shelved a new upgrade and Lewis Hamilton demanded overnight fixes after a difficult start.

Why it matters:

The continued exodus from Milton Keynes raises serious questions about Red Bull's internal stability at a time when the squad is trying to claw back into championship contention. Meanwhile, the regulatory clampdown on Ferrari's concept underscores the fine line teams walk between innovation and compliance, with every advantage becoming harder to protect.

The details:

• Red Bull Exodus: RacingNews365 understands another high-ranking figure is poised to leave Red Bull, marking the latest in a string of prominent exits from the Milton Keynes squad.
• Ferrari Loophole Closed: A technical solution developed by Ferrari has been banned for 2027, removing a concept the Scuderia had integrated into its recent design philosophy.
• McLaren's Withdrawn Upgrade: The team pulled its new "upside-down" rear wing from Friday running in Austria, with officials labeling the last-minute removal a disappointing but necessary call.
• Hamilton's Demand: After labeling Friday "unforgiving," Lewis Hamilton issued clear targets to Ferrari engineers, demanding swift overnight changes to cure the SF-26's balance issues.

What's next:

Focus now shifts to Saturday qualifying, where McLaren hopes its conservative call pays off and Ferrari faces pressure to deliver Hamilton's requested fixes. For Red Bull, the challenge extends beyond the track as the team works to stem departing personnel while keeping pace in a competitive midfield fight.