This Week in F1: Max Leaving F1?, Mercedes Mind Games, and Aston's Issues | The Red Flags Podcast

Are the 2026 regs already breaking Formula 1? Brian and Matt dive into all the Bahrain testing chaos: Max Verstappen calling the new cars “Formula E on steroids,” and whether conserving energy is the new alpha racing. They debate if Mercedes is sandbagging, and if Red Bull has another monster engine. Plus: Is Oscar Piastri rattled? Could Alpine actually podium in Australia? And is Aston Martin’s Adrian Newey dream already a nightmare while Lance Stroll is stright chillin? Australia might be carnage and we're HERE FOR IT. Chapters 00:00 - Intro 04:45 - Will Max leave F1? 23:51 – Is Mercedes really sandbagging? 39:16 – Lando vs Oscar vibe check 58:33 – Best of the rest: Haas and Alpine?! 01:11:33 – Aston Martin Meltdown 01:14:53– Australia Chaos