Red Bull bets on Austria upgrade to reverse 2026 slide
Red Bull arrives in Austria with its biggest upgrade of 2026 and finally on minimum weight, but Villeneuve warns of a deeper internal power struggle tearing the team apart.
Red Bull is preparing what insiders describe as its biggest upgrade package of the 2026 season as pressure mounts ahead of the team's home race in Austria.
According to De Telegraaf and De Limburger journalist Erik van Haren, the package arriving at Spielberg is even more significant than the update introduced in Miami earlier this season.
"Now, insiders confirm that the new package will be even more significant," he reported.
The Austrian team is hoping the development can reverse a worrying slide that has left Max Verstappen languishing P7 in the drivers' standings and openly questioning the competitiveness of the RB22.
There is at least another piece of good news.
Van Haren reports that Red Bull has finally succeeded in bringing the car down to the minimum weight limit after fielding an overweight car for the season so far.
Internal upheaval shadows the upgrade
The timing is critical amid continuing speculation about Verstappen's future and whether he could soon activate performance-related exit clauses in his contract.
1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve believes Red Bull simply cannot afford to lose its star driver.
"They absolutely have to try to keep him, because he's currently the only good thing in the team - apart from the engine," he said.
"There seems to be a huge internal power struggle over who should take over the leadership, and everyone is being kicked out."
"It's very difficult to see a good future at Red Bull. It's really strange."
Villeneuve thinks the situation has been deteriorating for some time.
"It's become a very political place in the last two or three years," he said. "Things are currently going downhill, and they haven't reached rock bottom yet."
Red Bull has spent recent days disputing the FIA's ADUO assessment that identified Red Bull-Ford as the benchmark internal combustion engine manufacturer and therefore restricted its ability to make performance gains.
Ironically, Ferrari is set to use one of its ADUO development opportunities in Austria.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport's Giusto Ferronato, the Maranello team will introduce a major power unit upgrade aimed at recovering an estimated two tenths of a second per lap.
Red Bull Racing at a glance
| Constructors' titles | 6 (2010–2013, 2022–2023) |
|---|---|
| Drivers' titles | 8 (Vettel ×4, Verstappen ×4) |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Engine partner (2026) | Ford (RBPT) |
| 2026 standings | Verstappen P7 drivers' championship |
See also: 2026 F1 calendar on F1-Fansite.
Related: Briatore: Only Verstappen move likely in quiet F1 market
