The Formula 1 2026 Season has not been shy about creating intrigue, but one of the compelling sparks has been around four-time world champion Max Verstappen. After a challenging 2025 season, doubts began to emerge around the machinery and structure of Red Bull Racing. Key personnel are leaving with new regulations unfolding. But the question around the paddock remains: are we seeing the Flying Dutchman resurge or just a brief return to form?
Let’s find out…
“Formula E on steroids”
Before the Formula 1 2026 season got underway, the number 3 driver expressed concerns over the new engine output philosophy.
The major rule change was to create a 50/50 power split between the Combustion Engine (400 KW) and the Electric Motor (350 KW). A philosophy that was disliked by Verstappen via ESPN, stating:
“Not a lot of fun, to be honest. I would say the right word is management. As a driver, the feeling is not very Formula 1-like. It feels a bit more like Formula E on steroids.”
Through vocality, Max did not mince his words, but on the track, the talking stops, and the adrenaline surges.
The Raging Bull of Australia
Saturday, we saw Max Verstappen, who became a passenger in the first upset within qualifying in 2026. In his first attempt in Qualifying, the rear axle locked on his RB22, sending him spinning into the gravel of Turn 1. Meaning car number 3 would start 20th on the grid for Sunday’s race.
Despite Saturday’s misery, the Raging Bull carved through the field with aggressive overtakes, passing three cars on the first lap, showcasing the sheer grit we’ve missed from the four-time world champion. Crossing the line finishing sixth with the fastest lap was the result Red Bull needed to keep their optimism going forward.
Chinese Despair
China raised more questions than it answered about the RB22. After finishing outside the points in the Sprint Race on Saturday, the race on Sunday appeared to show more optimism, starting seventh on the grid, but that wasn’t what Verstappen believed.
In the post-qualifying interview on Saturday, Verstappen expressed concern about the RB22 and how he can “only win if cars in front retire”, but it would become a reversal of fortune.
The Dutchman would retire on Lap 45 due to an ERS Coolant Failure. While running in sixth place, Verstappen was on for another solid result, but RB22 was beginning to reveal problems.
Japan: “Again very difficult”
The Japanese Grand Prix revealed more stress and a lack of performance from the RB22, as the number 3 driver said: “It’s completely undrivable.” A comment that highlighted his qualifying performance finishing 11th just two tenths behind F1 rookie, Arvid Linblad, adding to the already made frustration of Red Bull’s development.
On Sunday, battling an “undrivable” car and energy management issues, the Dutchman soldiered on to claim eighth in the race, fighting for seventh with Pierre Gasly. But the frustration remained ever-present as the performance gap to Red Bull’s rivals, Mercedes and McLaren, continued to widen.
Miami: Chaos but Encouraging
After a full month and two races cancelled, Formula 1 returned to the Hard Rock Stadium for the Miami Grand Prix weekend, even better, a Sprint Weekend.
Upon reflection, Verstappen’s weekend can be described as chaotic yet encouraging. The RB22 arrived with 7 upgrades. One noticeable upgrade has been seen on their Scuderia rivals, the ‘Macarena’ wing. Now, Red Bull has copied this design and developed surprising results.
Saturday’s Sprint revealed the new upgrades kept Red Bull in the fight with their rivals Mercedes, with Verstappen finishing fifth, sandwiched between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. But the real test would be the Grand Prix on Sunday.
Starting second, the RB22 looked more competitive throughout the course of the weekend, but one mistake can end all that hard work. Lights out for the race, and just after two corners, Verstappen spins, luckily recovering control without colliding with his rivals.
During the grand prix, the upgrades to the RB22 showed promise. In traditional Verstappen style, picking off cars one by one to make a strong recovery back up to fifth. Although the number 3 driver did incur a 5-Second Penalty for crossing the white line at the Pit Exit, the penalty did not demote the Dutchman from his fifth-place finish.
Verstappen Returning to Form?
So far, the four-time world champion’s performance has been more resilient than competitive. Red Bull’s RB22 has shackled Verstappen with poor instability and reliability. Despite these setbacks, as shown in the first three races, Miami indicated that the new upgrades, coupled with Max’s aggressive, relentless pace, have begun to show that he can remain in the fight among his McLaren and Mercedes rivals.