Red Bull Racing has decided to remove its rotating rear wing following incidents involving Max Verstappen during qualifying in Austria and the British Grand Prix. The team will revert to a previous rear wing design for the Spa-Francorchamps race while continuing to explore other areas for performance gains.
The rotating rear wing, introduced by Red Bull since the Miami Grand Prix, had initially shown no significant issues. However, after Verstappen’s crash in Q3 at Austria and a spin at Silverstone, the team initiated a thorough review of the component. Team principal Laurent Mekies confirmed this evaluation, leading to the decision to shelve the rotating wing temporarily.
For the upcoming race at Spa, Red Bull will use the older, more conventional rear wing that was employed earlier in the season. Verstappen himself confirmed the change and mentioned that the team will consider bringing back the rotating wing only when it is deemed safe and ready. His teammate, Isack Hadjar, noted that the switch back has a minimal and hard-to-measure impact on track performance, expecting the car to remain competitive despite the less advanced wing.
Hadjar also acknowledged that Verstappen’s incidents could have happened to either driver and emphasized the importance of resolving the issue. Beyond the rear wing, Red Bull is addressing other challenges, including engine competitiveness and handling difficulties that Hadjar experienced at the Red Bull Ring and Silverstone. The team is also focusing on improving race starts, which have been problematic throughout the 2026 season, with some testing conducted after Silverstone.
Despite these challenges, Hadjar described the car as healthy, though slightly slower than some competitors in various areas. Red Bull’s approach reflects a cautious strategy to maintain driver confidence and safety while continuing to develop the car’s overall performance.
This development highlights how teams in Formula 1® balance innovation with reliability, especially when new components show unexpected effects on driver control. Red Bull’s decision to revert to a previous rear wing design underlines the priority given to safety and stability in the highly competitive environment of the sport.