Source: Official Team Post via X
Red Bull's Start Dilemma: Mekies on Why Fixes Must Wait
Red Bull's Max Verstappen faced challenges at the start of the 2026 United States Grand Prix, highlighting ongoing issues with the RB22's launch performance. Team boss Laurent Mekies explains that significant changes are needed but won't be possible until next year's car.
Max Verstappen's race at the 2026 United States Grand Prix got off to a rocky start, with the Dutchman struggling to get his Red Bull off the line effectively. This allowed Kimi Antonelli to edge ahead, and Verstappen soon found himself under pressure from the Ferraris, with Charles Leclerc overtaking him by Turn 3. Though Verstappen managed to reclaim his position from Leclerc later, the damage was done, and Antonelli was able to maintain a comfortable lead.
Verstappen's teammate, Isack Hadjar, faced similar woes, losing out to the Ferraris at the first corner. This has been a recurring theme for Red Bull in 2026, with the RB22's start performance proving to be a thorn in their side. Interestingly, Racing Bulls, using the same Red Bull Powertrains unit, hasn't faced these issues.
Laurent Mekies, Red Bull's team boss, acknowledges the start problems and explains that they can't be entirely fixed until the 2027 RB23 is introduced. "The start is a complex issue," Mekies said, noting that it involves multiple components like the engine, gearbox, and clutch, rather than just aerodynamics. Despite improvements throughout the season, Red Bull is still not the "benchmark" for launch performance.
Hadjar, frustrated by the situation, called the starts "horrendous" and highlighted the need for a complete clutch redesign, citing issues with clutch over-delivery and temperature sensitivity. Mekies echoed these concerns, adding that while incremental gains might be possible, the significant design and hardware changes needed won't happen until next year.
Adding to their troubles, Red Bull also faced persistent radio communication issues during the race, something Verstappen humorously suggested might require a switch to sign language. Mekies admitted the problem was perplexing and noted that other teams seem to manage better, hinting that Red Bull still has some work to do in this department.
Ultimately, while Red Bull's RB22 continues to show strong pace, the start and communication issues are proving to be stumbling blocks. As the season progresses, the team aims to make small improvements, but the major overhauls will have to wait until the next car rolls out.