Red Bull admits persistent car issues may last until 2027

Red Bull Racing has acknowledged a complex and persistent performance issue with the RB22 that is expected to last until at least 2027. Team principal Laurent Mekies confirmed that Max Verstappen has been experiencing significant car degradation throughout sessions and races, a problem the team describes as a gradual loss of performance rather than a specific mechanical failure.

Verstappen has been vocal about the issue, at one point describing the car as being ‘made of paper’ due to its perceived fragility and performance drop-off. While the team has made some progress following the Madrid Grand Prix, Mekies stated that a definitive solution is likely years away due to technical and design constraints.

Separately, the Madrid Grand Prix has drawn criticism from former driver David Coulthard regarding the circuit layout. Coulthard argued that the track lacks sufficient overtaking opportunities, suggesting that F1 should implement changes, such as slower chicanes similar to Monza, to prevent races from becoming monotonous. The event was also marked by controversy surrounding the timing of a Virtual Safety Car (VSC), which cost Lando Norris a potential victory.