Red Bull technical director clarifies his role amid Verstappen's F1 regulation criticism

Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache has dismissed the notion that his job is to keep Max Verstappen "happy," instead stating his focus is on providing the tools to win. This comes after the reigning world champion launched fierce criticism of Formula 1's new 2026 technical regulations, labeling them "anti-racing" and "Formula E on steroids."

Why it matters:

Verstappen's vocal discontent highlights a significant tension between F1's push for sustainability through complex energy management and the pure, flat-out racing drivers desire. Wache's blunt response underscores a fundamental team philosophy: performance and results are the ultimate objectives, not driver satisfaction with regulatory frameworks. This dynamic could influence how teams prioritize development and communicate internally as they adapt to the new era.

The details:

• Verstappen's Core Criticism: The Dutchman's primary issue is with the 50/50 split between internal combustion and electric power, which mandates extreme energy management. He argues it forces drivers to race and qualify in unorthodox, counter-intuitive ways, preventing them from pushing the car to its absolute limit.
• Wache's Job Description: When asked about short-term fixes to appease Verstappen, Wache was clear: "It's not my goal to make him happy. We can make him happy by winning the race. My job... is to make sure that we give him the tools so that he's able to compete at the front."
• Regulation Focus: Wache clarified that the design and feel of the car under the new rules are an "outside area," primarily for discussion with the FIA. His team's main purpose is to optimize performance within the given framework.
• Verstappen's Adaptation: Despite his criticism, Verstappen is already a frontrunner in mastering the new demands. He pioneered a tactic of taking certain corners in first gear to keep engine revs high and harvest more energy—a method now being copied by rivals.

What's next:

The immediate focus for Red Bull is refining the RB22's performance, not lobbying for regulatory change. However, Verstappen's tactic of aggressive energy harvesting raises a new concern: its long-term sustainability. This driving style may lead to increased wear on gearboxes and power units over a full season, potentially introducing a new strategic and reliability challenge for all teams. The debate over the racing product versus technical ambition is set to continue as the season unfolds.