Adrian Newey has admitted Aston Martin are playing catch-up already<\/a>, while the updated aerodynamic rules, new power units and a new weight limit are giving manufacturers plenty to think about.<\/p>\n McLaren are the gold standard on the grid this season, and whispers suggest Mercedes have the best power unit for 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ferrari made changes to this year\u2019s car with 2026 in mind<\/a>, in the hope that it will give Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc an advantage going into next year.<\/p>\n There are now question marks over how Red Bull<\/a> are going to perform next season.<\/p>\n Position Constructors’ Standings PointsPts 1 559 2 260 3 236 4 194 5 70 6 52 7 51 8 45 9 35 10 20 <\/p>\n Max Verstappen<\/a> has committed his future to the team for at least one more year, although there are still question marks over Yuki Tsunoda\u2019s seat<\/a>.<\/p>\n New team principal Laurent Mekies<\/a> and technical chief Pierre Wache<\/a> know they need to deliver to keep Verstappen happy.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the noises coming out of the team suggest they may already be on the back foot.<\/p>\n READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links<\/a><\/p>\n A report from Grada3<\/a> has shared more details about the work going on behind the scenes at Red Bull Powertrains<\/a>.<\/p>\n Audi and Red Bull are the two teams building their own power units for the first time in preparation for 2026, with Mekies\u2019 team working in partnership with Ford.<\/p>\n It\u2019s believed \u2018pessimism only grows\u2019 at Red Bull over the competitiveness of the engine ahead of next season.<\/p>\n Red Bull aren\u2019t behind schedule or missing development goals, but personnel involved in the building of the engine have communicated to local rivals that \u2018it looks bad\u2019.<\/p>\n TEAMENGINERed BullRed Bull Powertrains (in partnership with Ford)FerrariFerrariMcLarenMercedesMercedesMercedesAston MartinHondaRacing BullsRed Bull Powertrains (in partnership with Ford)HaasFerrariWilliamsMercedesAlpineMercedesAudiAudiCadillacFerrariF1 engine suppliers for the 2026 season<\/p>\n It\u2019s believed Verstappen would \u2018explode\u2019 if he\u2019s overtaken by drivers he doesn\u2019t believe are at his level, but a weak power unit could leave him helpless.<\/p>\n It took Honda five years to win their first race as an engine supplier, but Red Bull can\u2019t afford to wait that long, with \u2018bad omens\u2019 continuing to circle around their hopes in the paddock.<\/p>\n Verstappen has get-out clauses in his contract<\/a>, and it\u2019s believed that if he\u2019s outside the top two in the drivers\u2019 championship<\/a> at next year\u2019s summer break, he could be free to leave.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen\u2019s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend<\/a><\/p>\n Which team could Max Verstappen join if Red Bull \u2018pessimism\u2019 becomes reality in 2026<\/p>\n The end of the 2026 Formula 1 season is potentially the perfect time for Verstappen to consider his Red Bull future.<\/p>\n He\u2019s been extremely loyal to the team that have helped him win four world championships, but if Red Bull are as far off the pace as many expect, then he can\u2019t settle for midfield obscurity until the rules change again.<\/p>\n![\"Red](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2227939989-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Marco Canoniero\/LightRocket via Getty ImagesRed Bull \u2018pessimism\u2019 is growing over 2026 power unit that could see Max Verstappen leave<\/p>\n