Crucial Red Bull deficit identified: 'Certainly doesn't help Verstappen's mood'

Alex Wurz has pinpointed one area where Red Bull is lagging behind its F1 rivals in analysing the recent Japanese Grand Prix.

The former F1 driver, who is also the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) chairperson, singled out the Milton Keynes-based squad's energy management around Suzuka as a particular weakness.

With the six-time constructors' champion embarking on a new journey as a power unit provider — in partnership with Ford — in 2026, its performance has been closely monitored.

Despite the fledgling project still being very much in its infancy, it has so far outstripped expectations — to the extent that it is not anticipated to receive help under the Additional Development Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system.

In fact, the focus has very much been on the issues Red Bull has with the RB22 chassis, which has thus far proven troublesome and difficult to tame.

It left Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar painfully off the pace at the Shanghai International Circuit and in Japan, with the pair fighting against Alpine and Haas at the front of the midfield.

However, despite the underlying performance of the power unit, Wurz does not believe the team has yet got a handle on energy management, which is a vital component of F1's new regulations.

"When I look at Red Bull's energy usage at Suzuka and how they're managing it, I have to say they are behind the competition — at least compared to Mercedes and Ferrari," the Austrian said on the Lift and Roast podcast.

Verstappen, in particular, has been extremely critical of the new rules, which is something Wurz emphathises with.

The four-time F1 drivers' champion is adamant that he would still be making such complaints even if Red Bull were competitive this year.

However, Wurz does feel the team's energy management struggles are affecting the Dutchman, adding: "The way others are handling that energy certainly doesn't help Verstappen's mood."