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Verstappen says Red Bull’s car was “scary” to drive early in 2026 | Formula 1

Max Verstappen has revealed that Red Bull’s 2026 Formula 1 car was initially so challenging to handle that it felt 'scary' to drive, particularly in the early rounds of the season. The four-time world champion struggled early on, securing just one podium finish in the first seven races, including costly spins in qualifying at the Red Bull Ring and Hungaroring, as well as a spin-out during the British Grand Prix.

However, the team’s performance improved dramatically after Baku, where Verstappen finished a close second to George Russell despite qualifying eighth. Since then, Red Bull has dominated, with Verstappen winning the last two grands prix and the Singapore sprint race, marking a significant turnaround in form.

The Dutch driver credited recent upgrades for making the car more balanced and competitive, though he acknowledged that the team still faces challenges, particularly with engine optimization. Verstappen remains focused on adding more podiums and wins in the remaining races, while also learning from this season’s struggles to better prepare for 2027.

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