Formule-1 : Verstappen's Frustration Grows After Red Bull's Chinese GP Struggles

Max Verstappen delivers a brutal assessment of Red Bull’s performance after sprint qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix. He labels Friday’s results a “disaster,” finishing practice eighth, 1.8 seconds off the pace set by Mercedes’ George Russell. Verstappen identifies the core issue: “No grip, no balance.” He struggles with cornering, which compounds problems throughout the session. In sprint qualifying, Verstappen barely makes it through SQ1 in 11th, ultimately finishing eighth but with a growing deficit to Russell—1.734 seconds by SQ3. Team-mate Isack Hadjar trails in 10th, half a second slower. The Milton Keynes outfit faces challenges under the new 2026 regulations, struggling against a dominant Mercedes. With the Sprint race ahead, Verstappen acknowledges the uncertainty: “We’ll see.” His concerns intensify as Red Bull grapples with the competitive landscape, raising alarms about their ability to contend.