Red Bull Racing has acknowledged it may be the fourth-fastest team heading into the 2026 Formula 1 season, with Max Verstappen suggesting Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren have superior pace. The Milton Keynes-based team, which dominated recent seasons, appears to be facing a significant competitive challenge after winter testing in Bahrain.

Despite Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff calling Red Bull the "benchmark," the reigning champions themselves don't share this assessment. Verstappen hinted at potential sandbagging from Mercedes, suggesting teams should "wait until Melbourne" to see the true pace differential. This marks a notable shift in the competitive landscape, with Red Bull openly conceding ground to multiple rivals.

The admission comes during a crucial period of development for 2026 regulations, where teams are adapting to new technical specifications. Red Bull's candid assessment suggests the team may need to accelerate development to remain competitive, particularly as McLaren has shown impressive form during testing sessions.