Sports · Motorsport · 1 hr ago
Vasseur says Red Bull is not clearly F1’s best team
Max Verstappen won recent races in Malaysia and Singapore for Red Bull, including the Singapore sprint and grand prix.
The victories came after Red Bull introduced a major upgrade in Baku, and Verstappen has now scored five podiums in a row.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur says Red Bull is not clearly the best team in Formula 1.
He says the lead has shifted among Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull during the season as teams brought upgrades.
That changing order means another upgrade could alter the standings, with six rounds left and Red Bull seven points behind third-placed McLaren.
Vasseur also said Verstappen’s Singapore win was helped by taking the lead at Turn 1, because overtaking was difficult on the tight street circuit.
The teams’ focus now is on their own performance, while the contest remains close.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said Red Bull is not clearly Formula 1’s team to beat.
He said the competitive order has shifted among Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull during the 2026 season.
Max Verstappen won the last two grands prix from pole, and also won the Singapore sprint.
Vasseur said Verstappen’s Singapore victory was strongly shaped by holding position at Turn 1.
Red Bull was seven points behind third-placed McLaren with six rounds left.
- Who
- Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said Red Bull was not clearly the best team. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen had won the last two grands prix.
- What
- Vasseur said the season’s competitive order was changing and that Red Bull was not “the team to beat.
- When
- The comments were reported on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Vasseur said different teams had been strongest at different points in the season, and that new upgrades could change the order.
Fred Vasseur
George Russell
Red Bull’s status
Fred Vasseur
Vasseur said Red Bull was doing very well but was not clearly the team to beat.
George Russell
Russell said Red Bull was the team to beat, considering Verstappen’s wins at two very different circuits.
Mercedes won the first six rounds while leading the season.
Ferrari and McLaren each collected two wins.
Red Bull reached the top step as the competitive order continued to shift.
Verstappen took his first victory of the season.
Verstappen won the sprint and grand prix, starting from pole.
Motorsport.com reported Vasseur’s comments.
- Red Bull’s gap to McLaren
- Seven points behind third-placed McLaren
- Rounds remaining
- Six
- Verstappen’s recent wins
- The last two grands prix, both from pole
- Singapore result
- Verstappen won the sprint and grand prix
- Ferrari’s Sunday finishers
- Charles Leclerc second; Lewis Hamilton sixth
What people are saying
Not sure.
Honestly, they are doing very well, but it's not the team to beat.
the team to beat
Sources
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