Shanna is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog, specializing in both F1 and endurance and GT racing. With a Master’s degree in Journalism and experience at international circuits, she provides in-depth, reliable coverage and insights based on her presence at Grands Prix and racing events worldwide.
Max Verstappen suspects he knows why his Red Bull suddenly worked less effectively during qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix. The Dutchman still felt much better in the RB22 during the third free practice session, but immediately noticed in qualifying that something wasn’t right. According to Verstappen, it’s also a problem Red Bull has struggled with more often this season.
Verstappen had to settle for sixth place in qualifying. That was a setback after the feeling in third practice had actually been better. As he drove out for qualifying, however, the four-time world champion already noticed something had changed on the car. "Yeah, a shame. I had a better feeling in third practice, but as soon as I went out there was something wrong with the car," Verstappen told Viaplay.
"I’ve had that very often this season: that we get problems during the race or from one session to the next. Then something seizes up or breaks. It’s something different every time, but it was another issue in qualifying," he laments. "I think I know where it is, but we’ve suffered from it more often. Then the car starts bouncing. It no longer rides well over the bumps and kerbs because it just doesn’t rebound properly anymore. You lose time with that."
Verstappen reveals a loss of a few tenths
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Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
The problem seems to be at the rear of the Red Bull. Verstappen also reported that during qualifying. According to him, the issue suddenly reappeared, while the balance of his car had been better earlier on Saturday. "We suffer from that more often," he repeats. "In third practice it was a bit better than now in qualifying. When you really have to push hard, it falls back into understeer in the middle of the corner and then you just lose time.
"But if we didn’t have those problems at the rear, where something is seizing up, then it actually looks pretty good. I think we’re giving up at least two tenths, purely because of that issue at the back," said the Dutchman. Over the radio he told Gianpiero Lambiase that the car was ‘broken again’ at the rear. Red Bull had already been concerned earlier this weekend about the car’s balance and Verstappen’s feedback.
Piastri held Lawson up significantly
Hopes in Q3 were partly pinned on a slipstream from teammate Liam Lawson, but he was eliminated in Q2. "That’s unfortunate. But he was also held up by Piastri, so yeah, that’s a shame too," says Verstappen. The four-time world champion seems to doubt the step Red Bull can take towards the race. "I don’t know whether they’re allowed to change anything on the car. Sometimes you’re allowed to change something if it’s broken and sometimes not, so it depends.
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"If it stays like this, then it’s going to be a painful race, because there’s a lot more potential in it. If you’re not allowed to adjust it, then that’s the end of it."
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Italian Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 04.09.26
Practice 1
10:30 AM
Practice 2
02:00 PM
Saturday 05.09.26
Practice 3
10:30 AM
Qualification
02:00 PM
Sunday 06.09.26
Race
01:00 PM
Friday 04.09.26
Practice 1
Fri 10:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 02:00 PM
Saturday 05.09.26
Practice 3
Sat 10:30 AM
Qualification
Sat 02:00 PM
Sunday 06.09.26
Race
Sun 01:00 PM
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F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 242 | |
2 | MercedesMER | 183 | |
3 | FerrariFER | 183 | |
4 | McLarenMCL | 159 | |
5 | FerrariFER | 155 | |
6 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 112 | |
7 | McLarenMCL | 106 | |
8 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 71 | |
9 | Racing BullsRCB | 51 | |
10 | AlpineALP | 35 |
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