Red Bull’s RB22 was described as “made of paper” by Max Verstappen after a steep drop in pace during the Monza qualifying session, signalling a continuing issue with the rear‑axle performance that has plagued the team for multiple seasons.
Red Bull’s RB22 struggles at Monza
During the Saturday qualifying at Monza, Verstappen noted that the RB22 degraded rapidly, turning the high‑speed layout into a “paper car.” The complaint was not a first‑time flare; the driver said the team has “been worried about it internally for years.”
Red Bull’s performance such that the car’s best lap times erode as a session progresses, a phenomenon that has appeared across various tracks, including the recent sprint in Madrid.
Team principal on the degradation issue
When questioned by Motorsport.com, Laurent Meier explained that the problem is “complex” and not new. He emphasised that the team has been tackling it with incremental changes rather than a single panacea.
Meier clarified that while improvements have been made, an exhaustive solution has yet to surface. He referred to the ongoing “pain” as a catalyst for future gains, hinting at a long‑term strategy.
Lessons from Monza and hope at Madrid
The team used the Monza insights to adjust the car for the Saturday sprint in Madrid. Although the degradation was present, it manifested to a lesser degree, showing that the “small steps” are delivering marginal stability.
Meier shared that each lesson contributes to a deeper understanding, though he refrained from detailing specific mechanical changes or data points.
Design limits and future chassis changes
Because of the 2026 technical overhaul and the impending budget cap, Red Bull is cautioned against sweeping changes to the RB22 for the remainder of the season. Some measures will inevitably have to wait until the 2027 chassis can be re‑engineered.
Meier acknowledged that “some aspects of performance that sometimes do not remain optimal” cannot be resolved within the current regulatory framework, reinforcing the team’s pivot toward longer‑term design solutions.
Implications for the season and Verstappen’s title hopes
With Verstappen acknowledging that the Dutchman “is not in the title fight this year” and that a win would be a personal goal, the RB22’s degradation casts a shadow on potential podiums. If he fails to secure a single win, it will be the first season since 2015 where he ends one without a championship‑podium finish.
Despite these challenges, the team remains determined to minimise further laps lost to degradation in the remaining races, trusting that incremental gains now will set the stage for 2027.
"