Fans have drawn a unanimous verdict after hearing Max Verstappen’s team radio during the final practice session for the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Dutchman, who recently confirmed his commitment to Red Bull through the 2026 season, voiced visible frustration with the car’s handling, leaving many questioning his morale ahead of qualifying.
Despite ending speculations about his future, Verstappen’s dissatisfaction with the RB21 remains apparent. Red Bull, languishing in fourth in the Constructors’ standings, has struggled to deliver a competitive package, and Verstappen has not secured a full race victory since the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in May. His mounting criticism underscores the tension within the camp as the championship battle intensifies.
The Dutch driver finished 11th in FP3, trailing session leader Oscar Piastri by 1.248 seconds. While practice results are often skewed by variable strategies and fuel loads, Verstappen’s radio messages revealed his growing agitation. “Agh, you try to fix the rear, and it goes into understeer. For f**k’s sake,” he snapped, before concluding with a blunt admission: “The car isn’t right.”
In a bid to restore stability, Red Bull reinstated Gianpiero Lambiase as Verstappen’s race engineer after his brief absence. Lambiase, who has worked alongside Verstappen since 2016, missed two of the previous three races due to personal reasons, leaving simulation specialist Simon Rennie to fill in temporarily. The reunion is seen as crucial in resolving the setup woes plaguing Verstappen’s confidence.
As qualifying looms, Verstappen’s candid outburst has fueled speculation that the Dutchman’s patience is wearing thin despite his contractual commitment. With McLaren dominating the timing sheets and Red Bull grappling for form, the reigning champion’s challenge to reclaim supremacy looks increasingly uncertain unless drastic improvements materialize.
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