Verstappen frustrated after qualifying in Budapest: Red Bull struggles with "broken" car

Verstappen spoke of an escalating development. "Es wird einfach immer schlimmer", he said. In addition, in his view, new difficulties kept surfacing: "Es taucht immer wieder etwas Neues auf und das ist nicht gut." The tires also could not compensate for the deficit, according to his account. "Wir haben keinen Reifenverschleiß, sondern einen Autoverschleiß", the driver explained.

Verstappen's Criticism in Detail

Verstappen was particularly blunt in his technical assessment of his car. "Das Auto ist aerodynamisch einfach komplett kaputt", said Verstappen in Budapest. He also showed irritation over individual situations in qualifying and called out "Was für ein Witz."

Verstappen summarized the problems as the most serious current obstacle. "Das ist wahrscheinlich im Moment das größte Problem", said the Dutchman. During the current season alone, he had experienced "eine Menge Tiefpunkte," according to his own account.

Background: Contract and Speculation

Ahead of the Hungarian weekend, Verstappen's future was once again the subject of discussion, even though his current contract runs until 2028. Red Bull itself has not commented on the speculation in the reports available. This means that ahead of Sunday's race, attention is focused both on sporting performance and on the question of how the racing team will respond to the driver's continued criticism.

According to the driver's assessment, the background to the malaise is a combination of aerodynamic deficits and a lack of consistency over the course of the weekend. "Wir haben ständig unterschiedliche Probleme", said Verstappen, summing up the core of his criticism in a pithy formula. The car that carried the Dutchman to his previous titles appears to have lost its former superiority in the summer of 2026.

Outlook for Sunday's Race

Regardless, the Grand Prix gets underway on Sunday afternoon, with preview coverage starting at 1:40 p.m. From sixth place, Verstappen must try to rescue the race result while at the same time regaining confidence in his machinery – a task that, in his own assessment, is becoming increasingly difficult for him.

Should the trend continue on race Sunday, it would mark another low point in a season already shaped by setbacks. Verstappen also indicated that new problems keep emerging behind the scenes – without naming any specific technical details. His displeasure is therefore less directed at his own driving than at the car, which in his perception is "kaputt."

The Hungarian Grand Prix is traditionally regarded as a benchmark in the summer phase of Formula 1. How Red Bull and Verstappen shape the coming weeks up to and beyond the summer break is likely to dominate the sporting discussion in the races to come.