Three races into the 2026 Formula 1 season, the unthinkable has happened. Red Bull Racing, the dominant force of the early 2020s and home to four-time world champion Max Verstappen, finds itself tied with Alpine in the constructors’ championship—and behind them on countback. The Enstone-based squad, which languished at the back of the grid throughout 2025, has executed one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent memory.

Both teams have scored 16 points from the opening rounds, but Alpine ranks fifth in the standings while Red Bull sits sixth. The reversal of fortunes is as stark as it is surprising, representing a triumph of long-term planning over short-term gain.

The Suzuka Showdown

The Japanese Grand Prix provided the clearest illustration of the new pecking order. Pierre Gasly qualified seventh, ahead of both Red Bulls, and successfully defended his position against Verstappen across 26 tense laps to finish seventh—three tenths clear of the Dutchman.

It was no lucky escape. Gasly had established a three-second gap before the safety car neutralized the field, erasing his advantage. When racing resumed, Verstappen threw everything at his former teammate, even executing a brief pass on lap 48 at the final chicane. But Gasly fought back immediately, deploying superior racecraft to reclaim and hold the position.

« I think we were a tiny bit faster a lap, but you just can’t pass—well you can pass, but then you have no battery the next straight. So I tried one time just to have a look, so I passed him into the final chicane, but then you have no battery the next straight. So I was like, ‘See you later! Try again in a few laps!' » — Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Divergent Strategies, Divergent Results

The contrast between these two teams could not be more pronounced. Alpine made the bold decision to sacrifice its entire 2025 campaign, switching focus to the 2026 regulations at an early stage. It was a painful choice that condemned them to the back of the grid last season, but one that Gasly endorsed wholeheartedly.

Red Bull took the opposite approach. Determined to maximize Verstappen’s championship hopes in 2025, the Milton Keynes squad continued developing the RB21 deep into the autumn, bringing upgrades as late as the Mexican Grand Prix. The resources devoted to that ultimately unsuccessful title charge were resources stolen from the RB22.

Red Bull’s Crisis

The RB22 has proven to be a troublesome machine. Both Verstappen and rookie teammate Isack Hadjar have been scathing in their assessments, with the car described as « undriveable, » « all over the place, » and even « dangerous. »

After qualifying eighth at Suzuka, Hadjar delivered a blunt verdict: « What we are seeing this weekend makes no sense. » The Frenchman failed to score points after losing out in the safety car sequence, later branding the car’s behavior so unpredictable that it bordered on hazardous.

Verstappen, starting 11th after another difficult qualifying, could only manage eighth. Technical issues have compounded Red Bull’s misery—Hadjar suffered a retirement in Melbourne while running fifth, and Verstappen dropped out in Shanghai from sixth. Those two DNFs represent a potential 16-point loss that would have dramatically altered the championship picture.

Gasly’s Masterclass

While Franco Colapinto has struggled to match his teammate’s pace, Gasly has been the definition of consistency. He is one of only six drivers to have scored points at all three grands prix this season, with finishes of 10th in Melbourne, sixth in Shanghai, and seventh at Suzuka.

The Frenchman has qualified seventh in the last three sessions—including the Shanghai sprint—each time faster than both Red Bulls. His performance has prompted him to declare the A526 « the best car I’ve had in my career, perhaps alongside the 2021 AlphaTauri. »

Gasly’s success is built on Alpine’s strategic foresight. The switch to Mercedes power units eliminated the seven-tenths deficit that plagued the Renault-engined 2025 car, while early focus on chassis development produced a platform that is gentle on tires and competitive across varied circuit configurations.

What Happens Next

The four-week April break offers Red Bull a crucial window to regroup. Team principal Laurent Mekies has expressed confidence that the team will « make a very good step forward » for the Miami Grand Prix, with upgrades planned to address the RB22’s fundamental balance issues.

But Alpine is not standing still. Executive advisor Flavio Briatore has promised continued development, and with more wind tunnel and CFD time than any other team courtesy of their 2025 finishing position, the Enstone squad is well-positioned to maintain its advantage.

For now, the moral of the story is clear: in Formula 1, sometimes the bravest decision is knowing when to stop. Alpine sacrificed a year to prepare for the future. Red Bull chased glory in the present. As the 2026 season unfolds, only one team is reaping the rewards.