Max Verstappen left the Hungarian Grand Prix of Formula 1, held on Sunday (26), frustrated with the performance of the RB22, despite the second place on the podium. The Red Bull driver stated that he faced one of the most difficult races of the season in terms of car behavior.
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After a complicated qualifying, in which he managed only the sixth best lap, Verstappen revealed that the car problems remained on Sunday: “No. It was exactly the same,” Verstappen told the press at Hungaroring. “There is nothing you can change after qualifying, so I knew it would be difficult, and it was very difficult.”
The Dutchman highlighted that he had to constantly manage the balance of the RB22 throughout the race. “Honestly, I think it was one of the toughest races this year in terms of how I felt in the car, how I had to manage the balance as well, corner after corner.”
Despite the difficulties, Verstappen valued the result achieved: “So, being on the podium, I think it was an incredible result for us.”
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Before the stage, Hungaroring was seen as one of Red Bull’s best opportunities in 2026, as the track could mitigate the RB22’s limitations in energy management. However, Verstappen’s second place was built much more on consistency than on race pace. Isack Hadjar also contributed to the team’s good result by finishing sixth.
Even with the podium, the four-time F1 world champion made it clear that the car’s balance problems remain unsolved and continue to be one of Red Bull’s main challenges in the 2026 season.
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