Max Verstappen Slams "Undriveable" Red Bull RB22 Following Disastrous P8 Qualifying Result in Shanghai

Max Verstappen faces a survival battle in Shanghai after qualifying P8, claiming the Red Bull RB22 is undriveable and setup changes have made zero difference.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 14, 2026, 7:23 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

A Struggle for Control in the New Era of Regulations

The transition to the 2026 technical regulations has proven to be an uphill battle for Red Bull Racing, culminating in a blunt assessment from their lead driver. Max Verstappen described the RB22 as "completely undriveable" after a qualifying performance that saw him relegated to the fourth row of the grid. According to Verstappen, every lap during the session felt like a survival exercise rather than a competitive effort, as the car's unpredictable behavior prevented him from pushing toward the limit. This latest setback follows a difficult Sprint race where he finished ninth, signaling a significant drop in the team's competitive standing compared to the previous season.

Ineffective Setup Changes Lead to Performance Stagnation

Despite a comprehensive overhaul of the car's configuration during the break between the Sprint and the main qualifying session, the team has reportedly seen "zero" improvement in lap time or drivability. Verstappen noted that the changes made by the engineering crew failed to bridge the gap to the frontrunners, leaving the car feeling disconnected and erratic. The balance issues appear to be multi-faceted, with the driver reporting a constant battle against both oversteer and understeer. This lack of responsiveness has eroded Verstappen's confidence in the machinery, leading to a candid admission that he no longer feels in full control of the car's trajectory.

Power Unit Integration Complicates Aerodynamic Balance

The driver also suggested that the current struggles are not solely limited to the chassis, indicating that "the engine side" is contributing to the overall headache. While Verstappen did not provide specific technical details regarding the power unit's behavior, the implication is that the integration of the new 2026 hybrid systems is causing disruptions to the car's drivability. This technical friction has left Red Bull as the fourth-fastest team on the grid, trailing behind the developmental strides made by McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. Verstappen highlighted that while rivals have moved forward, Red Bull appears to have taken a definitive step backward in the pecking order.