Red Bull Plans Upgrade as Ferrari Admits Engine Weakness in F1 Season Review

The 2026 F1 season is shaping into a multi-team battle, with Red Bull addressing car balance issues, Ferrari confronting a power unit deficit, and Mercedes' rookie Kimi Antonelli stunning the field with back-to-back wins. As the grid heads into a five-week break, teams are scrambling to develop solutions that could define the championship fight.

Why it matters:

The early season has exposed critical weaknesses in the top teams, creating an unpredictable and open championship. Red Bull's chassis struggles, Ferrari's engine performance gap, and the emergence of a new star at Mercedes mean the development race during this long break will be crucial. How each team responds will determine if they can challenge for the title or fall behind.

The details:

• Red Bull's Two-Faced RB22: The car is powered by a surprisingly strong and reliable RBPT–Ford power unit, but its chassis and balance are the primary weaknesses holding it back from consistent performance. The team is planning a critical upgrade to address these handling issues.
• Ferrari's Power Unit Problem: Charles Leclerc has identified the power unit as the team's "biggest weakness" in the opening rounds, admitting it lacks performance compared to rivals. This is a significant setback for a team that entered the new regulations hoping to fight for wins.
• Mercedes' New Leader: Rookie Kimi Antonelli, now the youngest driver to ever lead the championship, has taken two wins (China and Japan). He described the overwhelming reaction to his first win, receiving over 1,000 messages, as "definitely special."
• Haas's Bearman Update: Driver Oliver Bearman is reportedly in good health following his high-speed crash at Suzuka, caused by a 50kph speed differential with another car. Team Principal Ayao Komatsu warned against a "knee-jerk" reaction to the incident.
• Alonso's 'Charging Station' Critique: Fernando Alonso offered fresh criticism of the current F1 format, lamenting that driver skill in high-speed corners has been replaced by managing energy harvest zones, which he likened to "charging stations."
• Wolff on Team Orders: With Mercedes drivers 1-2 in the championship, Toto Wolff indicated the team may use orders later in the season but sees no need for the "foreseeable future," allowing Antonelli and George Russell to race freely for now.

What's next:

The five-week break until the next Grand Prix provides a pivotal development window. Red Bull will work to deliver its vital upgrade, Ferrari must find engine performance, and Mercedes will manage the growing stature of its championship-leading rookie. The decisions made now will set the tone for the remainder of the season, determining whether the title fight remains a three-way contest or if one team can break away.