Verstappen secures second place at the Hungaroring amid continued RB22 woes
Max Verstappen climbed onto the podium in Budapest, claiming second after a weekend of persistent balance problems and damage that left him stunned at the post‑race press conference.
Red Bull’s car behaviour continues to perplex
During qualifying and in the race, Verstappen highlighted the RB22’s oversteer, saying the car “was pushing me in the wrong way” and that it failed to stay within its intended operating window.
Team principal Michèle Mahi Mekies admitted that Red Bull could not extract the full potential of the package before the season’s summer break. “We weren’t able to give Max and Isack a car that could push,” she explained.
Mekies noted that drivers had felt the car was “pretty much in the ballpark” in earlier races, but this weekend’s handle was worse, particularly on Friday and Saturday, leaving the team’s adjustments propped up for the final race.
Racing performance still outpaced some rivals
Despite the difficulties, Verstappen’s time kept him the quickest car on the track, with Lando Norris as the only driver ahead of him. “Everyone else could have matched or beaten him,” Mekies observed, giving the RB22 a bright spot.
The Red Bull gearbox was also faulty for two races this season, contributing to the team’s fourth‑place standing in the constructors’ championship and a gap of over 200 points to leaders Mercedes.
However, the jump seen in McLaren’s performance following upgrades here in Budapest reduced the gap to third to just 43 points, a result that Mekies praised as “impressive,” noting the team now beat both Ferrari and Mercedes in this race.
What lies ahead for Red Bull and the RB22
Mekies outlined next steps: understanding the RB22’s “narrow operating window,” improving consistency, and working on its corner balance. The team must learn from the slippage in Hungaroring and apply the lessons in Zandvoort before the summer break ends.
While brisk on pace today, the RB22’s ongoing challenges demand that Red Bull not rest on its laurels if it is to stay in contention for the championship.
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