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Verstappen and Red Bull Struggle: Electrical Issues Behind Disappointing Performance
Following a disappointing display at Silverstone, it has become clear that Red Bull's new power unit is plagued by unexpected electrical issues, heightening concerns for upcoming races.
By Lesley - 2026-07-08T16:32:47.000Z - 2 min read
The opening phase of the 2026 Formula 1 season has not been smooth sailing for Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. Following a weekend at Silverstone where expected dominance failed to materialize, Verstappen himself has pinpointed the exact issue. The Dutchman acknowledges a fundamental problem lurking within the electrical components of their brand-new power unit, which is significantly impacting performance.
Although the internal combustion engine (ICE) of the new Red Bull engine initially topped internal rankings – partly depending on how manufacturers deploy their units during the first races – the newcomer appears to be lacking primarily on the electrical side. According to Verstappen, this weakness becomes particularly evident on circuits where energy management is crucial and where large amounts of electrical energy are deployed and harvested.
'Energy-hungry' circuits like Silverstone relentlessly expose these technical shortcomings. Efficient energy management is vital here, and that is precisely where the Red Bull engine falls short. The implications are substantial: with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on the horizon – a circuit famous for its long full-throttle stretches and energy-intensive sectors – a similar scenario is anticipated.
This poses a serious challenge for the Milton Keynes-based squad. If they are to achieve their ambitious goals in this new era, a quick resolution to this electrical flaw is essential. The race against time is on to optimize the power unit before rivals build an insurmountable lead.