Has Red Bull become a midfield Formula 1 team?

Red Bull finds itself in unfamiliar territory. After struggling through Friday practice at the Japanese Grand Prix, with Max Verstappen 0.761 seconds adrift of pace-setter George Russell, the question being asked by some fans is simple: have the six-time constructors' champions been reduced to midfield status?

The numbers certainly suggest a team in crisis mode. Just 12 points from the opening two races represents their worst two-race start since 2015, a period long before their recent dominance. 

Fifth in the constructors' championship, level with Racing Bulls, is a position that would have been unthinkable during their years of superiority.

Verstappen has been scathing about the RB22's shortcomings across the entirety of the season so far, with his comments in China having been particularly brutal. 

"The whole day has been a disaster pace-wise," Verstappen said after sprint qualifying in China. No grip. Honestly, I think that's the biggest problem. No grip, no balance, just losing massive amounts of time in the corners."

The technical problems are numerous and interconnected. Excessive understeer through slow and medium-speed corners is triggering severe tyre graining, whilst the RB22 is also 10 kilograms overweight.

That alone would explain slower exits, compromised braking, and accelerated tyre degradation. It is an unprecedented situation for the team. Its struggles stem from the ambitious undertaking of developing an in-house power unit whilst adapting to entirely new regulations. 

Team principal Laurent Mekies has committed to improvements from Japan onwards, with a crucial five-week development window ahead following the cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

The question is simple: has Red Bull become a midfield outfit, or will it return to the front once it solves its problems?

Have your say by voting in the poll below!