Red Bull's Struggles Deepen as Team Slips into Midfield Battle

The Red Bull Formula 1 team continues to face significant challenges in the 2026 season, with driver Isack Hadjar admitting that morale within the team is "not good" following another difficult weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix. The French driver's honest assessment comes after Red Bull's point-less finish at Suzuka Circuit, where both drivers failed to score points in a race that highlighted the team's ongoing performance issues.

Frustrating Race Performance

Hadjar started from a promising P8 position on the grid, having out-qualified teammate Max Verstappen for the second time this season after the Dutch driver failed to reach the final qualifying segment. However, the race quickly unraveled for the Frenchman as he experienced technical difficulties that compromised his entire event.

"It was just a really long race. I had a good start and was fighting Pierre [Gasly] just like I wanted to on Lap 1," Hadjar explained post-race. "I ran out of battery very early on the start/finish straight and started to be overtaken by everyone on every lap [while] trying to recover energy. I was just stuck for a while so it was not very nice in the car."

Team's Championship Position Deteriorates

The Japanese Grand Prix results leave Red Bull in a concerning position in the Constructors' Championship. With Verstappen finishing P8 and Hadjar crossing the line in P12, the team has now accumulated only 16 points through the early stages of the 2026 season. Of those points, four came from Hadjar's performance at the Chinese Grand Prix.

This poor start leaves Red Bull sitting sixth in the Teams' Championship standings, a significant fall from grace for a team that has been accustomed to fighting at the front of the grid in recent seasons. Verstappen himself has suggested that Red Bull now finds itself in a midfield battle rather than contending for race wins and podium positions.

Looking Ahead to Miami

Hadjar emphasized that the gap between the Japanese Grand Prix and the upcoming Miami race will be crucial for the team to analyze their performance issues and work toward solutions. "It's not good," Hadjar stated bluntly about the current mood within the Red Bull garage. "But everyone's got their heads down to understand what's going on. Hopefully the next version of the car really makes an effect. That's it."

The French driver's comments suggest that Red Bull is actively working on car upgrades and performance improvements, but the psychological impact of their early-season struggles is clearly taking a toll on team morale.

Technical Challenges Compound Performance Issues

Hadjar's race was particularly compromised by early energy management problems that forced him to spend much of the event trying to recover battery power rather than pushing for position. This issue, combined with being stuck behind Arvid Lindblad's Racing Bulls machine in the early stages, prevented him from capitalizing on his strong grid position.

After finding himself down in P13 following the Safety Car period, Hadjar could only manage to gain one additional position by the chequered flag, highlighting how the team's performance limitations are affecting both drivers' race outcomes.

As Red Bull heads to the Miami Grand Prix, the pressure continues to mount for the team to address their technical issues and find a way back toward the front of the grid. With competitors making significant strides forward, Red Bull's struggles in the early part of the 2026 season could have lasting implications for their championship aspirations.