Max Verstappen, the Red Bull driver, expressed his frustration after the qualifying session at the Chinese Grand Prix, where he secured a starting position of P8 due to the struggles with his RB22. The Dutchman had a disappointing Sprint race and requested significant changes to the car before qualifying. However, even after the adjustments, Verstappen continued to face challenges with the RB22 during the race weekend.
Speaking to the media, Max Verstappen shared his concerns about the RB22’s performance, stating, “It’s the same. We changed the whole car, and it makes zero difference. I have no balance, so you can’t even lap after lap get a bit of a reference because it’s all over the place and incredibly difficult to drive.” The 28-year-old driver emphasized the lack of balance and drivability in the car, making it challenging for him to push to his full potential.
The issues with the RB22 have been persistent since the start of the season, with Verstappen struggling with the car’s drivability, balance, and grip. Following the Sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix, the four-time F1 champion described the Red Bull as “undrivable” due to the balance and tire degradation issues affecting his performance on the track.
Max Verstappen highlighted that every aspect of the RB22 was problematic, including oversteer, understeer, and overall lack of control. He mentioned that the current setup of the car is not competitive enough to challenge teams like Ferrari and McLaren, estimating that Red Bull’s pace would only be sufficient for a P7 or P8 finish.
When asked about specific areas where the RB22 lacked performance, Verstappen acknowledged some issues with the engine but emphasized that the car’s overall performance was the main concern. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the car since the introduction of the new regulations and stated, “From lap one of this new regulation, I’ve not enjoyed this car for sure.”
In conclusion, Max Verstappen’s struggles with the Red Bull RB22 have been evident throughout the season, with the car’s lack of balance, drivability, and overall performance hindering his ability to compete at the highest level. As the Dutch driver continues to grapple with the challenges posed by the RB22, he remains determined to find solutions and improve his performance on the track.
