Verstappen warns Red Bull over 2026 car struggles

Max Verstappen has issued a stark public warning to Red Bull Racing's technical department, led by Pierre Waché, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the team's uncompetitive 2026 car, the RB22. The reigning champion, now fighting in the midfield, highlighted fundamental handling and performance issues, placing the blame squarely on the chassis rather than the new Ford power unit. This marks the first car fully developed under Waché's leadership without input from Adrian Newey, intensifying the pressure on the team to find rapid solutions.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's blunt criticism signals a significant crisis within the reigning constructor's champions, challenging the technical direction of the post-Newey era. With the team's sister squad, Racing Bulls, performing comparably with the same engine, the core issue is clearly identified as the car's design. This public airing of grievances increases internal pressure and raises immediate questions about Red Bull's development trajectory and its ability to retain its star driver in the long term.

The details:

• Verstappen's primary complaint centers on a lack of drivability and control, stating the car "doesn't let me" push and is "really not how it should be."
• The performance gap is severe, with the RB22 reportedly over a second per lap slower than the team's competitive 2022 car following a major regulation change.
• The new Ford power unit, while not the benchmark, is not the main culprit. This is evidenced by the strong relative performance of the customer Racing Bulls team, which is "eerily close" to the senior squad.
• The RB22 is the first car entirely credited to Technical Director Pierre Waché, as the foundational 2022 car was influenced by Adrian Newey's work. This places the current struggles directly at Waché's doorstep.
• Red Bull's all-in development focus on the 2025 car to fight McLaren for the title may have compromised the early development of the 2026 chassis, though the team has previously managed concurrent challenges successfully.

What's next:

The pressure is now on Pierre Waché and his technical team to unlock major performance from the RB22 through in-season upgrades. Verstappen's patience, and his long-term future with the team, will be tested if significant progress is not demonstrated soon. The situation also puts Red Bull's management in the spotlight to ensure resources and focus are correctly allocated to close the gap to the front-runners in a crucial development year.