Verstappen Sounds Alarm on Red Bull Power Unit in Austria Practice

Max Verstappen warned Red Bull of a recurring power unit problem over team radio during Friday practice for the Austrian Grand Prix, highlighting persistent driveability concerns with the team's 2026 engine. The four-time world champion reported a sudden RPM drop at Turn 3 in FP2, compounding a difficult day that had already seen his car hit anti-stall twice in FP1. Teammate Isack Hadjar also battled power delivery and handling issues, underscoring a frustrating opening day for the squad at its home circuit.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's first season with its in-house RBPT-Ford power unit has been undermined by repeated reliability and driveability problems, threatening the team's ability to defend its championship credentials. Despite the engine impressing in FIA ADUO performance rankings, slow starts and power delivery glitches have plagued Verstappen and Hadjar across the opening seven race weekends. With Ferrari and Mercedes running strong, unresolved PU issues at the Austrian GP risk leaving Red Bull on the back foot at a critical point in the season.

The details:

• FP1 Troubles: Verstappen's running was cut short when his car went into anti-stall twice, forcing mechanics to wheel him back to the garage for investigation.
• Radio Warning: During FP2, Verstappen told his engineer to investigate an RPM drop at the Turn 3 hairpin, stating the issue also struck on push laps: "The drop in RPM, it's clear."
• Hadjar's Frustration: The Frenchman also suffered at Turn 3, catching a slide and venting over the radio about a lack of power: "I need the car to give me power, man."
• Setup Woes: Verstappen additionally complained about his seat and excessive shaking during FP1, suggesting the problems extend beyond the power unit alone.

What's next:

Red Bull faces a race against time to diagnose whether the RPM drops and anti-stall events stem from engine mapping, hardware reliability, or drivetrain calibration before qualifying. The pressure is amplified by paddock rumors suggesting chief engineer Paul Monaghan could depart for Cadillac, adding to a growing list of high-profile exits including Adrian Newey and Christian Horner. With Verstappen's race engineer GianPiero Lambiase also confirmed to leave for McLaren by 2028, solving the PU puzzle quickly is essential to steady the ship and keep the Dutchman's title hopes alive.