Red Bull admits Verstappen’s mysterious car issue cannot be fully fixed until 2027

During several weekends this season, Verstappen has complained that the Red Bull Formula 1 car gets worse over the course of a session or race. It usually happens at the rear axle, including during qualifying at Monza, where Verstappen called…

Published: Monday, 21 September 2026 at 8:13 AM
Red Bull admits Verstappen’s mysterious car issue cannot be fully fixed until 2027
Key Things to Know
  • Red Bull admits Max Verstappen's persistent car degradation issues cannot be fully resolved until 2027.
  • Verstappen has complained that his car's performance deteriorates over the course of sessions and races.
  • The issue primarily affects the rear axle and has persisted despite new technical regulations for the RB22.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has acknowledged that Max Verstappen's ongoing car degradation issues cannot be fully resolved until the 2027 season. Verstappen has frequently complained that his car's performance deteriorates over the course of sessions and races, particularly affecting the rear axle. The persistent issue has continued despite the introduction of the completely redesigned RB22 under new technical regulations.

Verstappen previously criticized the car's handling during qualifying at Monza, describing the vehicle as being "made of paper." Mekies confirmed that Verstappen's complaints regarding the long-standing performance degradation are accurate, though the team has declined to publicly explain the specific cause of the issue or their exact plans to resolve it.

Never Miss a Sports Update

Get the latest sports news and top stories from MySportsTab delivered straight to your inbox.

No spam. Just the latest sports news and updates.