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Red Bull faces unexpected crisis in 2026 F1 championship: how Alpine overtook them

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
March 29, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Red Bull faces unexpected crisis in 2026 F1 championship: how Alpine overtook them

Title: Alpine Surges Ahead of Red Bull: A Shocking Turn in the 2026 F1 Championship!

In a jaw-dropping twist that has left the Formula 1 world reeling, Alpine has catapulted itself ahead of Red Bull in the 2026 championship standings after just three races! While Red Bull’s Max Verstappen narrowly missed out on the drivers’ title last season, it seems the tides have radically turned this year. The once-dominant team is now struggling to keep pace with its rival, as both teams find themselves locked in a fierce battle, each with 16 points—but Alpine takes the lead on countback!

The shocking revelation came to light during the recent Japanese Grand Prix, where Pierre Gasly outperformed Verstappen, clinching seventh place. The tension within Red Bull is palpable, with both Verstappen and rookie Isack Hadjar voicing their frustrations about the RB22. The car's performance has been described as “undriveable” and “all over the place,” a stark contrast to the high standards that fans expect from the reigning champions.

Hadjar, who qualified eighth at Suzuka, expressed his disbelief: “What we are seeing this weekend makes no sense,” he lamented. Verstappen echoed his sentiments, revealing that the car's behavior was so erratic it felt “dangerous” to drive. The four-time world champion's struggle was evident as he battled for position, ultimately finishing eighth, just three-tenths behind Gasly after a grueling 26-lap duel. “I think we were a tiny bit faster a lap, but you just can't pass,” Verstappen remarked, highlighting the difficulties the team faces in overtaking rivals.

Compounding Red Bull’s woes are technical issues that sidelined both Hadjar and Verstappen during critical races in Melbourne and Shanghai, leading to a potential 16-point deficit in the championship. As they grapple with these setbacks, the pressure mounts, and the championship landscape appears increasingly precarious for the once-mighty team.

On the flip side, Alpine’s strategy is paying off handsomely. While Franco Colapinto has struggled, Gasly has been a beacon of consistency, qualifying seventh in all three races and scoring points in every Grand Prix. By prioritizing the 2026 regulations early on, Alpine has transformed from a backmarker in 2025 to a formidable contender this season. Gasly's finishes—10th in Melbourne, sixth in Shanghai, and seventh in Suzuka—have set the stage for a competitive season ahead.

Interestingly, even Haas has outpaced Red Bull in the standings, with Oliver Bearman’s impressive performances securing seventh and fifth place finishes in Australia and China, respectively. Who could have predicted that Red Bull Ford, heralded as a new power unit manufacturer, would not be the Achilles heel for the team? Instead, it’s the chassis that’s causing the problems, according to Hadjar, who stated, “We have a good power unit. The engine is good. The chassis side is terrible. We're just slow in the corners.”

Looking forward, hope may lie in the upcoming Pirelli test at Suzuka, where the team aims to trial upgrades and rectify the issues plaguing the RB22. “We’ve got upgrades coming up, we’re going to test them, do some sim work, understand what happened on the weekend,” Hadjar commented with cautious optimism. “I hope it’ll rain on Tuesday and Wednesday to get some running done and get a head start on others.”

As the 2026 Formula 1 season unfolds, one thing is crystal clear: the battle for supremacy is heating up, and Alpine is seizing the moment while Red Bull scrambles to regain its footing. Will Red Bull bounce back or will Alpine continue its meteoric rise? The world will be watching closely as this thrilling saga develops!

Tags: Alpinef1-championshipformula-1-enmax-verstappen-enRed Bull Racing
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