Pressure increases on Wache as the Red Bull crisis intensifies.

      Pressure is increasing on Red Bull's technical director Pierre Wache amid rising speculation that he could be the first significant casualty of the team's disappointing start to 2026. Following Adrian Newey’s exit, Wache finds himself in a pivotal position with one of the most challenging technical roles in Formula 1, yet early indications imply that the new era isn’t progressing well.

      Ralf Schumacher stated on Sky Deutschland, "For me, the shoes are too big for him." However, despite rumors of a potential sacking, the German does not view outright dismissal as the solution at this moment. "I wouldn’t suggest he should be entirely replaced in the team. They should consider bringing in someone, whether they are experienced or young talent."

      Red Bull's difficulties seem to stem mainly from the chassis, rather than the new in-house engine developed with Ford. Various reports indicate that the car is over a second off the pace, with approximately eight-tenths due to chassis issues and only a minor portion attributed to the power unit. The RB22 is reportedly overweight and is suffering from significant balance problems, fluctuating unpredictably between understeer and oversteer.

      Max Verstappen remarked after Suzuka, "The car was virtually undrivable." New updates introduced in Japan, which included changes to the underbody and sidepods, did not enhance performance, highlighting the extent of the issues. Team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged, "There are several problems we still need to sort out. You don’t really want to go through a phase like this." He added, "I don’t think we should expect miracles in terms of closing the gap, because it’s substantial."

      Verstappen's new teammate, Isack Hadjar, was more direct. "The car was truly undrivable - it was even dangerous," he told Canal Plus, noting that team morale has also suffered. "It’s not good. Everyone is working hard to understand what’s happening. Hopefully, the next version of the car will really make a difference."

      Schumacher believes the circumstances indicate deeper-rooted issues. "Now Red Bull urgently needs to address this gap. Clearly, the car is a disaster. How many times have we seen Max Verstappen off the track now? That never happened before. I think there’s something seriously wrong behind the scenes."

      Indeed, internal conflicts have reportedly emerged following the departure of key personnel, while sister team Racing Bulls has become an unsettling benchmark, sitting just two points behind in the standings. With a significant upgrade scheduled for Miami, the upcoming race could be crucial for Wache’s future.

      Meanwhile, Verstappen is finding relief away from Formula 1, planning to race at the Nordschleife during the April break and gearing up for the 24-hour race in May.