Verstappen Slams 'Undriveable' Red Bull After Struggling to Eighth in China

Max Verstappen delivered a scathing assessment of Red Bull's 2026 Formula 1 car, labeling it "completely undriveable" and saying "every lap is like survival" after qualifying a dismal eighth for the Chinese Grand Prix. The four-time world champion's struggles were compounded by a poor start in the sprint race, leaving him with little hope for a strong result on Sunday and highlighting a deep-rooted issue with the team's new-generation challenger.

Why it matters:

For a driver of Verstappen's caliber and a team of Red Bull's recent dominance to be so openly critical of their own car is a stark indicator of their current crisis. His comments suggest fundamental flaws in the RB22's design and handling characteristics that extensive set-up changes cannot fix, posing a serious threat to their competitive standing this season and challenging the team's famed ability to develop a winning package.

The details:

• Verstappen's weekend was plagued by problems, finishing ninth in the Sprint after a start issue dropped him "like a brick" and qualifying nearly a full second off pole position for the Grand Prix.
• He described the car's balance as "really disconnected," suffering from a combination of oversteer and understeer that made it unpredictable and impossible to push to the limit.
• No Set-Up Fix: The team attempted major set-up changes between sessions, a tactic that worked miracles in 2025, but Verstappen reported it made "zero difference," leaving him feeling no control.
• Power Unit Glitch: His sprint start problem was similar to the issue Liam Lawson suffered in Australia, with Verstappen stating he "didn't get enough power from the engine."
• A Season-Long Dislike: The Dutchman revealed his dissatisfaction is not new, stating plainly, "From lap one of this new regulation I've not enjoyed this car, for sure."
• Teammate's Perspective: Isack Hadjar, who qualified ninth, suggested Red Bull's slightly better showing in Melbourne was due to rivals Ferrari and McLaren underperforming, not an improvement in their own package.

What's next:

With a car he cannot trust or push, Verstappen expects to finish Sunday's race roughly "where I'm at" on the grid, a major setback for the reigning champion. The team faces a monumental task to understand and rectify the core issues with the RB22's concept. While development will continue through the season, these early struggles in China have exposed a significant vulnerability for Red Bull and opened the door for their rivals to establish an early championship advantage.