Verstappen issues Monaco warning: ‘Order a new back’ as RB22 bouncing persists

Max Verstappen has warned that Red Bull’s RB22 bouncing issue could turn the Monaco Grand Prix into a painful ordeal, joking that he might need to “order a new back” to survive the street circuit.

The world champion still managed a podium in Canada, but struggled badly with the car’s ride quality. His feet were “flying off the pedals” on the bumpy Montreal track, making consistency nearly impossible.

Why it matters:

Monaco is the most demanding street circuit on the calendar, with bumps, kerbs, and surface changes that punish any car with poor ride quality. If Verstappen’s RB22 bounces as badly as it did in Canada, the Dutchman could face a physically painful weekend and a significant points loss — critical as he sits seventh in the drivers' standings, 88 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli.

The details:

• Verstappen struggled throughout the Canadian GP weekend, saying: “I couldn’t put my foot down… my feet were flying off the pedals, so it made it very difficult to be consistent.”
• He admitted the RB22 is competitive on smooth tracks but remains problematic on rougher surfaces. “Anywhere that it’s bumpy is going to be difficult for us,” he said.
• When asked about Monaco, Verstappen joked: “Oh yes, that is going to be great. I think I’m going to order a new back!”
• Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies said the problem is solvable but part of the team’s development challenge. “There is nothing yet that we are saying cannot be fixed in ’26,” he insisted.
• Mekies added: “It’s a very difficult game. Max was extremely unhappy with the car, but had a strong race. It’s an invitation to take more risk, to accept the pain, and keep exploring.”

What's next:

Red Bull heads to Monaco for the next round, with Verstappen and the engineering team working to understand why the RB22 bounces so severely. If a fix isn’t found, the Monte Carlo weekend could be a damage-limitation exercise. The team currently sits fourth in the Constructors’ Championship on 57 points, 162 behind Mercedes.

With Monaco’s narrow streets and high kerbs, any ride issue is magnified. Verstappen’s warning is clear: unless Red Bull solves the bouncing, Monte Carlo will be a painful reminder of their current weakness.