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Max Verstappen Hits 'New Issues' in Disappointing Hungarian Qualifying
A grueling Saturday at the Hungaroring saw Max Verstappen battle unexpected problems at Red Bull, resulting in a qualifying session he bluntly dismissed as 'nothing'.
By Nadia van Leeuwen - 2026-07-25T18:44:29.000Z - 2 min read
Saturday at the Hungaroring was anything but smooth sailing for Max Verstappen. A qualifying session that normally serves as the stage for a pole position hunt dissolved into a frustrating afternoon for the Red Bull driver. The Dutchman fell victim to emerging issues within the team.
His own reaction after the session spoke volumes. Summarizing his dissatisfaction and disappointment in a concise manner, Verstappen delivered the dry verdict: "This qualifying was nothing." The contrast with the high expectations that typically follow him was striking.
The tag 'new issues' raises questions regarding the exact nature of the setbacks faced by Red Bull. Details about the specific glitches were initially withheld, but the impact on the RB22's performance was clearly palpable. For a team accustomed to leading the field, such a setback is an immediate cause for concern.
Starting from a less-than-optimal position at the Hungaroring guarantees a tough race. The twisty circuit is widely regarded as one of the hardest tracks for overtaking on the calendar. This intensifies the pressure on Verstappen to fight his way forward early on, a task further complicated by the compact nature of the track.
The team will now have to work relentlessly to pinpoint the root cause of the issues and rectify them where possible before the race. Sunday's strategy will need to be entirely focused on damage limitation and executing as efficient a fightback as possible. This demands not only a flawless drive from Verstappen, but also faultless preparation from Red Bull.
The unexpected setback makes for an unusual start to the race weekend for the typically dominant combination. It means Red Bull must play catch-up to gather valuable points. All eyes will be on both the driver's execution and the car's reliability.
Consequently, the race in Hungary promises to be a stern test for Verstappen and his crew. The ability to bounce back after adversity will be paramount. Expectations have shifted from a dominant victory to maximizing position—a scenario the team surely would have preferred to avoid.