Zak Brown issues concern about the ‘bigger challenge’ Red Bull will face in 2026 F1 season

Red Bull have kept themselves on top in Formula 1 in 2024 as Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive title.

The Dutchman joins an elite club as he becomes only the sixth driver to win four world championships. His incredible win at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix all but shattered his rival Lando Norris’ chances of claiming the title – later sealing the deal in Las Vegas.

What was most impressive about Verstappen’s latest win is that he has not had the most competitive car for much of the year, with McLaren and Ferrari overtaking Red Bull in their development.

The 27-year-old went 10 races without a win between Barcelona and São Paulo. While he bridged a big enough gap to his rivals to keep his crown this season, there is questions over whether he can do the same in 2025.

Next season will be very challenging for the Milton Keynes-based squad, given the key personnel that have left the team in 2024 – the most notable being Adrian Newey, who will join Aston Martin in the second quarter of 2025.

Jonathan Wheatley will be heading to Sauber – who will become Audi in 2026 – to be their team principal, while McLaren have poached Will Courtenay as their new sporting director. These key departures will be damaging to Red Bull, but McLaren CEO Zak Brown thinks his rivals face an ‘even bigger challenge’ the following year.

Zak Brown raises concern about Red Bull’s own powertrains they will introduce in 2026

The new technical regulations coming to F1 in 2026 are set to transform the sport, with many teams undergoing significant changes.

Red Bull will move away from using Honda engines that season, as the Japanese manufacturer enters a new partnership with Aston Martin.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit – working together with Ford – will produce their own powertrains in 2026. Because of this revolutionary step, Red Bull may sacrifice their 2025 efforts to fully concentrate on building a competitive car with their own power unit the following year.

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Speaking with De Telegraaf, McLaren boss Brown thinks 2026 will be the bigger concern for Red Bull as he cannot remember a team that were immediately competitive with their own engine.

“Red Bull have lost a lot of key people and I don’t think we’ve seen the full impact of that yet. They’re a good team, but you also have to look at the culture and the atmosphere.

“For them, 2026 will be an even bigger challenge. That’s when they’ll be coming with their own engine for the first time and I can’t remember a team with their own engine being competitive in the first year. That’s still a big question mark.”

Max Verstappen might be tempted to leave Red Bull in 2026 if their engines are not competitive

With several key figures leaving Red Bull, Verstappen has also been linked with an exit, despite having a contract until at least 2028.

The team’s drop in performance this season will raise concerns for 2025 as to whether they will struggle to compete against McLaren and Ferrari. There will also be questions over 2026 and if their powertrains will be competitive compared to their rivals.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Harry Benjamin says Verstappen might be tempted to leave Red Bull if they cannot deliver on their promise to bring a competitive unit to their car in 2026,

Mercedes are keen admirers of Verstappen and they may have a seat open in 2026 with George Russell being out of contract at the end of next season.

Verstappen has also been linked with Aston Martin to reunite with Newey, as the legendary designer hopes to build up the Silverstone-based team and replicate the enormous success he had with Red Bull.