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SUZUKA, JAPAN - MARCH 29: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on on the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on March 29, 2026 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
For a team that only entered the sport two decades ago and has held onto dominance in both the driver’s championship and constructor’s championship over recent Formula 1 seasons, the fate of Red Bull F1 racing is being called into question ahead of the 2026 Miami Grand Prix this coming weekend.
Max Verstappen Has Spoken Out Against the New Regulations in Place for the 2026 FIA Formula 1 Season
GettySUZUKA, JAPAN – MARCH 29: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (3) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB22 Red Bull Ford on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on March 29, 2026 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
At the end of the 2025 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season, both the driver’s title and the constructor’s championship were awarded to rival team McLaren, for whom returning World Champion Lando Norris drives, and ended the significant streak held by Red Bull F1 Racing and four-time World Champion Max Verstappen. Instead of returning for the 2026 Formula 1 season with an invigorated desire to prove himself and the team backing him as the best in the sport, Verstappen has instead spent a hefty amount of the current season with his attention directed elsewhere in the world of motor sports and auto racing.
Following the press coverage he’s received for racing in the iconic Nurburgring 24 hour team event, Verstappen has continued to draw attention for his pursuits outside of Formula 1 competition. Having a team’s top driver clearly redirecting his focus away from the F1 paddock signals trouble at home, as some analysts have surmised.
Recent Announcements of Departures Have Sparked Speculation of Instability in the Red Bull F1 Garage
GettySUZUKA, JAPAN – MARCH 28: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Gianpiero Lambiase, Head of Racing of Oracle Red Bull Racing in the garage during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on March 28, 2026 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
If Max Verstappen’s extracurriculars outside of Formula 1 didn’t send a strong enough message of alleged instability within the Red Bull F1 Racing garage, then a string of recent departures has served as the capstone on that conversation. Adrian Newey was the most notable of exits in recent seasons, though his departure to accept a new position with the Aston Martin Formula 1 team is being revisited now that Gianpiero Lambiase, a key member of Verstappen’s racing team as the driver’s race engineer, has announced that he will be joining McLaren in 2028, according to ESPN.
Going into the Miami Grand Prix in May 2026, Max Verstappen currently sits at ninth on F1’s official leaderboard behind both McLaren drivers, both Ferrari drivers, both Mercedes drivers, and even behind Ollie Bearman of Haas F1 Team and Pierre Gasly of Alpine. This is the farthest down the leaderboard the driver has been since before his inaugural World Championship win.
Amanda Vining Amanda Vining is a career journalist with over 20 years of experience covering news for digital publications. More about Amanda Vining