Red Bull Battles Low-Speed Performance and Track Bumps at COTA

Max Verstappen ended Friday's practice sessions at the United States Grand Prix in second and third place, trailing benchmark pace set by Charles Leclerc. While the RB22 remains a force in high-speed sections, Red Bull is struggling to find a workable compromise on the bumpy Circuit of the Americas.

Why it matters:

Red Bull is not exhibiting the same immediate dominance seen earlier in the season in Malaysia. To challenge Ferrari's early edge in Texas, the team must resolve a critical technical dichotomy: maintaining their inherent high-speed efficiency while recovering significant time lost in the circuit's slowest sectors.

The details:

• Low-Speed Deficit: GPS data reveals that Ferrari is dominating the slowest corners, specifically Turn 1 and Turn 11. Leclerc is showing superior performance both on braking and exit phases.
• High-Speed Strength: Verstappen remains competitive in the high-speed sweeps, often gaining time on the long straights before the braking zones.
• The Bump Factor: Verstappen described the track surface as "out of control," noting that the car "jumps a lot" during braking, particularly at Turn 1.
• Technical Conflict: The 2026-spec active aerodynamics and "straight mode" allow cars to rise on straights, enabling teams to run lower ride heights in corners. However, this lower height makes the RB22 less compliant over COTA's severe bumps, sacrificing stability for aero gains.

What's next:

Technical Director Pierre Wache has identified low-speed performance and bump compliance as the two primary priorities ahead of qualifying. Red Bull's ability to fine-tune the RB22's balance without sacrificing its high-speed advantage will determine if Verstappen can overturn Ferrari's current momentum for pole position.