Red Bull faced a torrid Hungarian Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen salvaged just two points after a race plagued by low-speed grip issues.
The Milton Keynes-based team endured a weekend to forget at the Hungaroring, with Verstappen starting eighth and teammate Yuki Tsunoda relegated to a pit-lane start after a power unit change.
The team’s struggles began in qualifying, where Tsunoda exited in Q1, trailing Verstappen by a mere 0.163 seconds. Despite a new power unit, Tsunoda’s race offered little redemption. Verstappen, meanwhile, showed early promise but lost a position, crossing the line in ninth.
The four-time world champion found himself stuck behind Fernando Alonso and Gabriel Bortoleto, unable to capitalize on an attempted undercut during the first pit stop.
Verstappen pinpointed the team’s core issue: a severe lack of low-speed grip in their RB21 car.
Speaking to the media, he said, “It was a combination of things. I didn’t feel good on the tyres, no grip, just sliding around. Even with newer tyres, I couldn’t find the low-speed grip.
“Everyone was pulling away in the slow corners, and I couldn’t attack.”
The team’s underwhelming performance prompted Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, to concede that Verstappen’s chances of defending his drivers’ title are effectively over, with a 97-point deficit to the championship leader.
Reflecting on the season, Verstappen said, “We always want a decent finish, but the focus for everyone is shifting toward 2026. We need more consistent car behavior and results.”
Red Bull now regroup during the Formula 1 summer break, with their next challenge being the Dutch Grand Prix on August 31, at the 4.259-kilometer Zandvoort circuit.
The team are determined to address their car’s shortcomings and return stronger for their home race.
