Red Bull urged to overhaul technical structure amid dismal start to 2026

The former F1 driver, in his analysis of the Milton Keynes-based outfit, noted the need to add more experienced hands to address the current shortcomings within its technical department.

Speaking on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, Schumacher, discussing Red Bull’s current technical director Pierre Waché, tempered talk of possibly replacing the 51-year-old. However, the former Williams driver stressed the need for adjustments to close the gap to the front of the field.

“I wouldn’t say that he should be completely replaced in the team right now. I think they need to look at bringing someone else in – good people, either experienced or young,” Schumacher said.

“Now Red Bull simply has to close this gap urgently. Because, obviously, the car is a disaster. How often have we seen Max Verstappen off the track now? That never happened before,” he concluded.

The RB22 has proven particularly challenging to drive, with both Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar not holding back their respective frustrations about the machinery. Waché, on his part, has found himself in the crosshairs of scrutiny, with GPblog previously reporting that he continues to be under pressure.

The Red Bull team currently sits sixth in the Constructors’ standings, 119 points off pace-setters Mercedes.

Earlier, Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged that the team’s late development of its 2025 car is a factor behind the current challenge it faces with its 2026 challenger.

Mekies, however, admitted the Milton Keynes-based team does not regret its decision to continue its late development, highlighting how it helped them get to the root of the issues they often experienced with its 2025 car.

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