Bahrain – Red Bull Racing technical director Pierre Wache has publicly acknowledged that the team currently trails Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren in the early stages of the 2026 Formula 1 season, despite a strong showing from Max Verstappen during the first day of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. Wache’s assessment, delivered during the test, directly contradicts assertions from rival team principals, notably Mercedes’ Toto Wolff, who had suggested Red Bull remained the team to beat.
Speaking to media including RacingNews365, Wache stated, “We are not the benchmark, for sure. We clearly see the top three teams – Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren – are in front of us, it looks like, from what our analysis is – and we are behind.” This admission comes after the RB22, Red Bull’s 2026 challenger, completed a substantial 136 laps on the opening day of testing, prompting initial speculation about the team’s continued dominance.
Wache cautioned against drawing firm conclusions from early test data, acknowledging the complexities of assessing performance with varying fuel loads and engine settings. “It’s difficult to say about the others due to the fact that of the run plan of everybody, the level of fuel they run, the level of power they run,” he explained. However, he identified low-speed traction as a key area where Red Bull is currently lacking compared to its competitors. “Clearly, in low-speed traction, they look very strong,” Wache said, adding that Ferrari and Mercedes were also demonstrating impressive straight-line speed, particularly on lower fuel.
The technical director highlighted specific weaknesses within the RB22, noting that issues with traction at low and medium-speed corners, which were present in the previous season, persist. He emphasized that the team’s analysis is directly correlated with feedback from drivers Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar regarding time loss to rival teams. “We clearly see some weaknesses in our car, and we relate it to these weaknesses and the feedback that we have from Max and Isack on the car, based on where we lose our time to the others, and it’s corresponding,” Wache stated.
While Verstappen demonstrated an innovative energy management technique during the Bahrain test – deliberately running in first gear where second would typically be used to maximize power deployment – Wache indicated this approach may not be sustainable long-term, potentially leading to increased wear on gearboxes and power units. Wache also conceded that his own assessment of the car’s performance is critical, stating, “I’m never happy with my own function.”
According to F1oversteer.com, Wache admitted Red Bull is trailing rivals in traction. The team will continue testing at the Bahrain International Circuit next week before the season opener in Melbourne, where a clearer picture of the competitive landscape is expected to emerge. Wache acknowledged the difficulty in accurately assessing performance until all teams are running at comparable fuel levels during qualifying.
