Max Verstappen calls Red Bull RB22 ‘completely undriveable’ after qualifying P8 in China

Max Verstappen described the Red Bull RB22 as “completely undriveable” after managing P8 only on the grid for the Chinese Grand Prix.

Verstappen described “every lap” as “survival” in the Red Bull machine, claiming that he “cannot push at all” because the car “doesn’t let” him. He has placed a P7-cap upon his potential for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen says Red Bull RB22 ‘completely undriveable’ after Chinese GP qualifying

Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust.

It has been a difficult race weekend in China for Verstappen, who was restricted to ninth in the Sprint. Red Bull overhauled his RB22 in the break before qualifying, but, the gains were limited, or “zero” if you ask Verstappen.

Verstappen starts the Chinese Grand Prix from eighth, after Pierre Gasly muscled his Alpine in between Verstappen and the McLarens, Ferraris and Mercedes.

Asked for his Grand Prix expectations, Verstappen said: “Not really a lot, to be honest.

“We changed a lot on the car, and it makes zero difference.

“So the whole weekend we’ve been off. The car is completely undrivable. I cannot even put a bit of a reference in. Every lap is like survival.”

Verstappen described the balance as “really disconnected”, and while the struggles are coming “a little bit from the engine side”, that does not offer a full explanation.

“Plus also, I cannot push at all, because the car doesn’t let me.

“I don’t really feel in control of the car.”

Latest Chinese GP talking points from PlanetF1.com

Russell survives ‘chaos’ to steal front-row start in China

What is the grid for the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix?

Verstappen has made his feelings be known about the new F1 2026 regulations, a ruleset which the four-time World Champion certainly is not enamoured with.

“From lap one of this new regulation, I’ve not enjoyed this car,” he reiterated.

“Everything at the moment” is causing a headache for Verstappen with the RB22, as he battles “oversteer and understeer”.

Verstappen did carve through the pack from the back in Australia, applying pressure on reigning World Champion Lando Norris in the McLaren. But in China, the papaya team, appears further out of reach, as does Ferrari and Mercedes.

Verstappen believes that Red Bull’s rivals “probably took a little step forward, those teams, and we took a step back, I guess”.

P7 is “realistically” the fight which Verstappen expects to be in on Sunday. There is a free weekend after China, ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

Verstappen was asked whether he believes the competitive level can change, depending on the track, between those events.

“I hope that there may be other tracks where we can be a little bit closer, but, we would still always be the P4 team at the moment, if you don’t change anything on the car,” he concluded.

Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.

You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!

Read next: Antonelli becomes youngest ever F1 pole-sitter after eventful quali for Russell