Max Verstappen tackles long-standing Red Bull problem: 'I'm still complaining'

Max Verstappen has explained why Red Bull has been unable to fix a problem that has plagued the team for years: its car's weakness over bumps and kerbs. Despite a new era of F1 regulations, the issue has carried over, and it's set to be tested again at this weekend's Madrid Grand Prix.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's recurring struggles on bumpy tracks have cost the team at street circuits in recent years. With the championship heading to the Madring, a circuit expected to be rough and unforgiving, this Achilles' heel could be exposed once more. The fact that the problem has persisted across regulation cycles shows how deeply ingrained it is in the car's DNA.

The details:

• Verstappen complained about the RB22's rear axle ride over Monza's bumps and kerbs last weekend.
• "It's a known problem for us for a long time," he said. "We know that kerbs and bumps are not the best thing for our car."
• The four-time champion confirmed that some challenges from last year's car have transferred to the current campaign: "I was complaining about the ride and the kerbs before, and I'm still complaining about it."
• No clear fix: Verstappen explained that the solution isn't straightforward. "F1 can sometimes be very complicated... it might be a few things that come together to create a problem, and you need to figure out all those details on the car."

What's next:

Red Bull now heads to Madrid, where the new circuit is expected to be bumpy and demanding. Verstappen and the team will be hoping the RB22's behavior can be managed, but the long-standing nature of the issue suggests it won't disappear overnight. The team continues to investigate, but as Verstappen admits, the answer remains elusive.