Max Verstappen has called on Red Bull to improve specific technical aspects of their 2026 Formula 1 package after the team endured a disappointing opening to the season. The four-time world champion and his team currently sit sixth in the constructors’ standings with just 16 points through three races, level with Alpine and far from their championship-winning form of recent years.
The RB22 has been plagued by reliability problems and a fundamental lack of pace, contributing to Verstappen’s struggles on track. The Dutch driver suffered a retirement during the Chinese Grand Prix and was unable to overtake Pierre Gasly’s Alpine during the Japanese race, highlighting the car’s competitive shortcomings compared to previous seasons.
Speaking to media including Motorsport Week, Verstappen identified key areas where Red Bull must focus their development efforts. “Our energy deployment is good; that is not our biggest problem,” Verstappen explained. “I think, actually, from the engine side, yes, correlation and calibration can be better, but actually in terms of pure power, it is not our worst thing for sure.”
The reigning champion acknowledged that while Red Bull’s power unit performance isn’t their weakest element, significant improvements are needed to match competitors like Mercedes. “We are not like Mercedes; they’re super strong, so we have a lot more work to do,” Verstappen noted, emphasizing the gap between his team and the front-runners.
Verstappen outlined specific demands for improvement, particularly regarding engine management and team communication. “We need to understand the engine deployment a little bit better, and just be a bit more solid,” he stated. “But there is still some stuff that I want better from that side in terms of the calibration and communication, but that is normal, you know? It is still a very new project, and I know that everyone is working flat out and giving their very best, so we will just keep trying.”
The champion’s frank assessment demonstrates his awareness of Red Bull’s current challenges and the significant work required to return to championship contention. With the season still in its early stages, Verstappen remains optimistic that the team can address these fundamental issues, though he acknowledges that resolving the car’s problems will require sustained effort rather than quick fixes.