Max Verstappen Highlights 'Big Problems' Plaguing Red Bull's RB22

Max Verstappen has expressed significant concern over Red Bull's current form, admitting the team faces "big problems" with its RB22 that require a major turnaround. The four-time champion endured a difficult Friday at the Japanese Grand Prix, finishing a distant tenth in second practice and struggling with an unpredictable car balance at the demanding Suzuka circuit.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's public frustration underscores a dramatic shift in Red Bull's competitive position. After starting the 2026 season battling McLaren for third-best, the team now appears to be falling behind its primary rivals, with fundamental car issues threatening to derail its championship aspirations. For a squad that dominated the previous era, solving these problems is critical to avoiding a prolonged slump.

The Details:

• Verstappen's struggles were evident on the timesheets, finishing FP2 eight-tenths slower than McLaren's Lando Norris and over half a second behind Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, who was the slowest of the top-team drivers.
• The car exhibited severe balance issues, with Verstappen describing opposite problems between FP1 and FP2 and a general lack of grip.
• Setup Difficulties: Attempts to correct one issue immediately created another, preventing the team from finding a stable, competitive setup—a particular handicap at a technical and high-speed track like Suzuka.
• Lowered Expectations: Known for making significant overnight improvements, Verstappen tempered hopes for a miracle fix before Saturday, stating the problems are "very difficult to solve at the moment."

What's Next:

The immediate focus for Red Bull is deep analysis to understand the root cause of the RB22's performance issues. With Verstappen not expecting a quick solution, the team faces a challenging qualifying session and race in Japan. The situation puts immense pressure on the engineering team to develop effective countermeasures, not just for this weekend but to prevent the performance gap from widening as the season progresses.