Smedley Rips Red Bull for 'Too Many Basic Problems' in 2026 Season Rating

Red Bull's 2026 campaign has drawn heavy criticism from former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley, who argues the team is falling well short of its potential. Despite Max Verstappen dragging the car to four podiums, the reigning champion sits sixth in the standings and faces a different crisis almost every weekend.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's slump marks a stunning reversal for a squad that once dominated the sport. With Verstappen still in his prime, every weekend lost to fundamental errors wastes a precious title opportunity, while the growing gap to the leaders exposes deep cracks in the team's once-bulletproof operation.

The details:

• Smedley's Verdict: On the High Performance Racing podcast, Smedley handed Red Bull a 5.5/10 before downgrading the mark to 5. He argued the team suffers from "too many basic problems" and that a new critical issue surfaces every race.
• Verstappen's Frustration: After finishing second in Hungary, Verstappen admitted he faces a "different problem" each weekend, making it impossible to build consistency behind the wheel.
• Technical Woes: The team reintroduced its distinctive 'Macarena' rear wing in Hungary to fix an airflow reattachment issue that triggered spins in Austria and Britain.
• A Softer View: Former team principal Otmar Szafnauer gave a 6/10, citing Red Bull's new Ford power unit and the recent loss of key leaders including Christian Horner and Helmut Marko. He felt Verstappen had the pace to win races.
• Championship Math: Verstappen trails leader Kimi Antonelli by 110 points at the summer break, leaving any title defense requiring a near-miracle turnaround.

What's next:

Red Bull has already confirmed a reduced upgrade programme after admitting to a "large deficit," leaving limited room for a rapid recovery. Unless the team eliminates its persistent gremlins and finds consistent pace, Verstappen's pursuit of a fifth consecutive crown looks likely to fade before the final rounds.