Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner has labelled Red Bull as the “weakest link” in the fight at the front of the field.
The Milton Keynes-based squad has endured a turbulent start to the campaign, having spent the last several years as a consistent title challenger.
Across the opening half of the 2026 campaign, it has scored four podiums but is yet to bag a race victory, the only team inside the top four waiting to do so.
Last time out at the Hungarian Grand Prix, McLaren sealed its first grand prix win of the year at a weekend in which it introduced a significant upgrade package.
Its strong form has left Steiner convinced that the Woking-based squad will become a consistent threat at the front of the field.
“They’re back in the mix, but it’s real,” Steiner told the Red Flags podcast.
“They’re back in the mix for real with Ferrari and Mercedes.”
Verstappen ended the race around the Hungaroring in second place, much to the Dutchman’s surprise as he faced challenges throughout the weekend behind the wheel.
But Steiner is not convinced Red Bull can keep up its form, stating: ”I think Red Bull is now the weakest link in there.
“Red Bull can do it – I don’t think Red Bull can win at the moment, but the ‘Max Red Bull’… call it like this because he always pulls something off.
“He was surprised himself to finish second. He didn’t know how he did it. Anyway, we know how he does it. If there’s an opportunity, he takes it.
“But I think McLaren is back to be a contender. But this year it changes around so much.
“On Friday everybody thought Ferrari would win it easy, but it’s Friday. We keep on forgetting it’s bloody Friday.”