Red Bull Shelves Rotating Rear Wing After Verstappen's Spinning Troubles

In the wake of Max Verstappen's unfortunate spins in Austria and Silverstone, Red Bull has opted to revert to their older rear wing design. The decision comes after the team identified the rotating rear wing as a potential contributor to the mishaps.

The so-called 'Macarena' wing, which Red Bull adopted after Ferrari's successful introduction in Miami, initially seemed promising. However, after Verstappen's escapades, team principal Laurent Mekies confirmed a full review would be conducted. With the Belgian Grand Prix on the horizon, a circuit known for its demanding high-speed corners, Red Bull has decided to play it safe and return to their previous setup.

Verstappen was candid when asked about the decision. "It's quite obvious, isn't it?" he remarked. "We'll go back to the old one and see when we can safely reintroduce the new design." His teammate, Isack Hadjar, provided further insight, noting that while the visual change is significant, the impact on performance is minimal. "We still expect to maintain competitiveness similar to last weekend," Hadjar explained. "It's more about ensuring we bring back the new wing safely."

Hadjar also acknowledged the role of luck in avoiding similar incidents, emphasizing the shared nature of the problem. "It could have happened to either of us," he admitted. "Max's problem is my problem too, and we need to sort it out together."

While the rear wing may be in the spotlight, Red Bull is also addressing other areas of concern. "We've been somewhat less competitive on the engine side," Hadjar noted, reflecting on their Silverstone performance. "It's about understanding our new package. We learned a lot post-race, and we're applying those insights this weekend."

The team has also identified issues with braking and tire overheating, particularly evident at the Red Bull Ring. "The car felt terrible on the brakes," Hadjar said. "In Silverstone, it improved, but overall competitiveness dropped. We know what we need to do to close the gap."

Another area of focus has been race starts, which have been problematic throughout 2026. Hadjar remains hopeful for improvement at Spa following recent testing and adjustments. "We've been putting pressure on reassessing our issues," he said. "We've learned a lot from recent tests and are catching up to teams like Ferrari and Williams."

Red Bull's quest for performance gains continues, but with a renewed focus on stability and consistency, the team aims to tackle the challenges ahead with a clearer understanding and improved strategy.