Despite some podiums from Max Verstappen, Red Bull disappoints in 2026. Former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley gives a very harsh assessment of the team’s performance.
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Red Bull’s first season as a power unit manufacturer is not going as planned. While the Milton Keynes team has shown some promising moments, the numerous problems encountered since the start of the year have significantly tarnished its record.
At least, that is the opinion of Rob Smedley. The former Ferrari race engineer believes that Red Bull is far from meeting expectations and does not hesitate to give it a rating of only 5/10 at mid-season.
A first year far from perfect
With the introduction of the new engine regulations in 2026, Red Bull has taken a historic step by developing its own power unit for the first time, with technical support from Ford.
An ambitious transition that, however, comes with many difficulties.
Throughout the first half of the season, both Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar have suffered several retirements due to mechanical failures. The Dutchman has been particularly critical on several occasions.
Among the most notable incidents are two off-track excursions caused by a sudden rear wing failure, a problem serious enough to prompt Red Bull to temporarily withdraw this version of the part.
When the RB22 works properly, Verstappen still manages to fight at the front and get on the podium. However, neither he nor his team have yet managed to secure a single victory this season.
Rob Smedley does not spare Red Bull
For Rob Smedley, these results are largely insufficient given the resources and ambitions of the Austrian team.
“Red Bull should be doing much better.”
According to him, the difficulties encountered are not just isolated incidents but reveal deeper problems.
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“They have accumulated far too many basic problems. As Max himself explained, it feels like there is a new issue every weekend.”
The former Ferrari engineer acknowledges that Verstappen sometimes spoke out of frustration but believes the facts prove him right.
“Yes, he may have been a bit emotional when talking about it, but there is indeed something different happening almost every Grand Prix.”
A rating of only 5 out of 10
For Smedley, the most worrying aspect is the severity of the problems encountered.
“These are not small reliability issues or easily manageable operational problems. Each time, it is a major incident that completely compromises the weekend.”
Faced with this assessment, his verdict is unequivocal.
“Red Bull should be at a much higher level. That is why I give them only a five out of ten.”
As the second half of the season approaches, Red Bull will therefore have to urgently improve the reliability of its car if it wants to finally turn Max Verstappen’s podiums into victories and get back into the fight against Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren.
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