Max Verstappen doesn't seem happy with Red Bull RB21's latest upgrades

Reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen appears far from thrilled with Red Bull’s latest efforts to revive their RB21’s performance. At the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the team rolled out a suite of aerodynamic upgrades aimed at closing the gap to rivals like McLaren and Ferrari. But after two shaky practice sessions in Imola, Verstappen’s feedback was blunt: the changes haven’t unlocked the pace Red Bull desperately needs.

Max Verstappen’s candid take on Red Bull’s revamped RB21

Red Bull’s upgrades for Imola focused on refining the car’s floor design, with tweaks to the Venturi channels and lateral edges to optimize airflow. These adjustments also triggered revisions to the side pods, rear ramp, and beam wing—a comprehensive effort to boost stability and speed. Team brass cautioned that the updates wouldn’t magically transform the RB21, but they hoped drivers would at least feel more comfortable.

Instead, Verstappen and teammate Yuki Tsunoda struggled to find rhythm. In FP1, Verstappen languished in seventh, while Tsunoda slumped to 16th. FP2 offered marginal improvement, with the Dutchman sixth and Tsunoda eighth—positions well below Red Bull’s championship-caliber standards.

When pressed about the upgrades’ impact, Max Verstappen didn’t mince words: “We tried a lot of bits. Some worked a bit better than others. But overall, yeah, not fast enough at the moment.” His frustration peaked when a McLaren sailed past him during long-run simulations. “They pull away. That says enough, right?”

Breaking Down the RB21’s struggles

The core issue, per Verstappen, is a stubborn imbalance in cornering. Despite the aerodynamic tweaks, the RB21 lacks the planted feel critical for maximizing speed through Imola’s chicanes and esses. “We need a better through-corner balance to go faster,” he admitted. Long-run pace also remains a concern, with tire degradation and straight-line speed trailing rivals.

Red Bull’s upgrades aimed to address these gaps, but early signs suggest the changes are incremental, not transformative. The revised floor may enhance downforce, but without harmonious integration across the car’s aerodynamics, gains are muted. Tsunoda’s struggles further highlight the RB21’s finicky nature, as he grappled with unpredictable handling.

What this means for Red Bull’s title defense

Max Verstappen’s candor underscores a sobering reality: Red Bull’s dominance is no longer a given. With McLaren and Ferrari consistently outdeveloping them, the pressure is mounting to deliver breakthroughs—and fast. The Dutchman’s ability to “drive around” the car’s flaws has saved results before, but Imola’s narrow layout leaves little room for heroics.

Team principal Christian Horner faces a pivotal challenge. Red Bull’s once-vaunted engineering edge has dulled, and rivals are capitalizing. The RB21’s updates were a step, but not the leap needed to reclaim supremacy.

Verstappen’s mindset: “Confidence isn’t high”

When asked about his outlook for the race, Verstappen’s tone was uncharacteristically cautious: “At the moment, not very high.” For a driver known for relentless optimism, this admission speaks volumes. The upgrades’ underwhelming debut has left him doubting the car’s ability to challenge for wins on pure merit.

Still, if anyone can defy the odds, it’s Max Verstappen. His Imola record includes a stunning wet-weather win in 2021, and he’ll need similar magic to salvage points this weekend. But as he noted, “It’s a bit tough today.”