Russell's 2026 F1 Concern, Red Bull Designer Exits, and Pre-Season Drama

The first pre-season test in Bahrain has revealed significant challenges with the new 2026 power unit regulations, with drivers like George Russell and Oscar Piastri highlighting fundamental changes required in driving style. Off-track, Red Bull faces internal disruption as Chief Designer Craig Skinner departs on the eve of the new season, while McLaren warns of a "dangerous" element in the new engine formula.

Why it matters:

The 2026 regulations, designed to increase sustainability and energy recovery, are forcing drivers to unlearn instincts developed over decades. This technical shift coincides with personnel changes at the championship-winning team, Red Bull, creating a volatile mix of sporting and operational uncertainty just weeks before the season opener in Australia.

The details:

• Driving Revolution: Drivers must adopt radically different techniques to manage the 2026 power units' energy harvesting demands. George Russell described the need to use lower gears in corners to rev the engine higher and force charge into the batteries as "quite annoying," using a supermarket analogy to critique the inefficiency.
• Re-learning Muscle Memory: Oscar Piastri emphasized the difficulty, stating drivers are having to undo traits honed over a "pretty tough 15-year" period from karting. To prevent battery drain, they must lift off earlier on straights and coast into corners, a counter-intuitive method to saving energy.
• Red Bull Shake-up: In a surprise move, Red Bull Racing's chief designer Craig Skinner has stepped down. The reasons for his departure and the identity of his replacement are currently unknown, introducing an element of instability within the technical team of the reigning constructors' champions.
• Safety Concerns: McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has called for quick fixes, identifying an issue with the new power units that he views as "dangerous," though specific details were not disclosed in the report.
• Competitive Claims: Contrary to external perceptions, Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache claimed that Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren are all ahead of Red Bull in the pecking order after the first test, downplaying his team's status as the benchmark.

What's next:

All eyes are on the second and final pre-season test in Bahrain (February 18-20), where teams will gather crucial data and drivers will continue adapting to the new driving demands. The unresolved technical concerns, coupled with Red Bull's internal change, set the stage for an unpredictable start to the 2026 Formula 1 season in Melbourne.