Red Bull Racing’s 2026 campaign has started in disarray, with Max Verstappen unable to extract performance from the RB22.
After three races, the team has just 16 points — its weakest opening since 2015 — and sits behind Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren.
Team boss Laurent Mekies admitted the car suffers from mid‑corner balance issues, leaving Verstappen stuck behind Alpine’s Pierre Gasly in Japan.
“In certain cornering conditions, we lose performance compared to what our package should deliver,” Mekies said.
With Red Bull trailing Ferrari by half a second and Mercedes by a full second per lap, the champions face a steep climb before the Miami Grand Prix on May 3.
Verstappen’s frustration with new regulations has already sparked speculation about his long‑term future.
