Verstappen tells Red Bull to find performance and fix issues in second half

Max Verstappen has laid out a clear mandate for Red Bull as Formula 1 enters the summer break, insisting the team must find more performance and fix ongoing issues with the RB22 if it hopes to turn its season around. After 11 rounds, the Dutchman remains winless in 2026 despite five podiums, leaving the Milton Keynes squad as the only top-four team yet to claim victory under the new regulations.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's uncharacteristic struggles represent a seismic shift in the F1 pecking order. As the only team among the leading quartet without a win, the pressure is mounting on the Milton Keynes squad to prove its slump is temporary. Verstappen's public call for improvements signals that the team is running out of time to salvage its championship hopes.

The details:

• Verstappen described the opening half of the campaign as "tough," acknowledging only occasional "bright, shining moments" amid persistent struggles with the RB22's balance and aerodynamic limitations.
• The Dutchman stressed the need for Red Bull to be "more solid" and "all-round" to string together straightforward weekends, rather than battling inconsistency.
• Beyond raw pace, Verstappen highlighted ongoing issues with the current package that must be addressed alongside any performance upgrades.
• Isack Hadjar has faced similar difficulties alongside Verstappen, underscoring that the problems are rooted in the car rather than driver-specific.

What's next:

The season resumes at the Dutch Grand Prix next month, where Verstappen will hope to see the first fruits of Red Bull's development push. With the 2026 regulations still offering ample room for teams to find lap time, the second half promises a fierce upgrade war among the frontrunners. Whether Red Bull can answer its star driver's demands may define not just its 2026 campaign, but the trajectory of its partnership with the sport's most dominant talent.