Verstappen Sees Only Flaws, but Red Bull Finds Progress in Hungary

Max Verstappen climbed to an unexpected second place at the Hungarian Grand Prix, yet the four-time world champion spent most of the race irritated by the RB22’s balance and handling issues. Team principal Laurent Mekies understands the frustration but highlighted a different perspective: Red Bull was faster than every car except Lando Norris’s McLaren—a notable step for a team struggling to find consistent form.

Why it matters:

Red Bull’s prolonged underperformance has forced the former dominant force into an uncomfortable rebuilding phase. Securing a podium while outpacing Ferrari and Mercedes for the first time this season suggests the latest upgrade package is working. It also gives the team a clear development direction to pursue during the summer shutdown.

The details:

• Driver Discomfort: Mekies admitted neither Verstappen nor teammate Isack Hadjar had a car they could truly push, a stark contrast to recent races where the setup felt correct. Verstappen publicly criticized the balance, indicating most of the race was difficult to enjoy.
• Raw Pace: Despite the complaints, Mekies emphasized the RB22’s underlying speed. Only Norris finished ahead, while Red Bull matched or beat the rest of the field, including both Ferrari and Mercedes.
• Sensitivity Struggles: The RB22 remains extremely sensitive to external changes. Minor factors—gravel, kerbs, wind shifts, or tiny amounts of damage—have repeatedly knocked the car out of its narrow window, eroding both lap time and driver confidence.

What's next:

Red Bull will temporarily close its factory for the mandatory summer shutdown, but engineers will spend the break analyzing why the RB22 is so difficult to balance. Mekies identified performance consistency as the primary challenge for the second half of the season. If the squad can widen the car’s operating window and tame its volatile behavior, the Hungary result suggests the raw pace is there to sustain a podium fight.