Red Bull driver says car ‘undrivable’, hopes Miami upgrades will turn tide

Red Bull is rolling out a major upgrade package at the Miami Grand Prix after the RB22 felt “undrivable” early in the season. Simulator driver Sébastien Buemi tested the new parts and reported a noticeable improvement, though he cautioned the real test will be on track against rivals who are also bringing upgrades. The team hopes the upgrades will lift them back into the fight with Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren.

Why it matters:

• Verstappen still lacks a podium, heightening pressure on a title‑favorite.
• Red Bull’s first in‑house power unit trails the top three despite early promise.
• Miami’s high‑downforce street circuit offers a crucial performance test.

The details:

• New front‑wing endplates and a reshaped floor to regain lost downforce.
• Revised barge‑board and side‑pod inlet changes for cleaner airflow.
• Larger cooling ducts to support the updated power‑unit maps.
• Simulations suggest a 0.4‑0.5s per‑lap gain over the pre‑upgrade baseline.

What's next:

• Upgrades run on Friday practice; qualifying will test their on‑track impact.
• If Red Bull out‑laps rivals, Verstappen could snag a podium and tighten the championship race.
• Further upgrades are expected as the team refines the engine and aero package through the season.