Max Verstappen has issued a demand to Red Bull on how to turn around its ailing fortunes over its poor start to the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Verstappen and Red Bull are enduring a nightmare start to 2026, lying sixth in the constructors’ championship, tied on 16 points with Alpine.
The opening three races have been characterised by issues with the RB22, the car suffering from poor reliability and an inherent lack of speed.
The four-time world champion has not been immune to the issues, suffering a retirement in China, then proving unable to pass the Alpine of Pierre Gasly in Japan.
Verstappen has now issued a demand to Red Bull in order to begin to rectify his season, before the front-runners get too far out of reach.
“Our energy deployment is good; that is not our biggest problem,” Verstappen said to the media, including Motorsport Week.
“I think, actually, from the engine side, yes, correlation and calibration can be better, but actually in terms of pure power, it is not our worst thing for sure.
“We are not like Mercedes; they’re super strong, so we have a lot more work to do.”
Max Verstappen targeting key areas of improvement
Verstappen then revealed the key areas for improvement he is targeting, including those outside the car.
“We need to understand the engine deployment a little bit better, and just be a bit more solid, but we’re doing okay.
“But there is still some stuff that I want better from that side in terms of the calibration and communication, but that is normal, you know?
“It is still a very new project, and I know that everyone is working flat out and giving their very best, so we will just keep trying.”
Verstappen’s honesty that Red Bull needs to improve shows a driver who is aware he is battling through a difficult period with Red Bull. Fixing the team’s shortcomings will not be an overnight fix.