Aug.6 (GMM) Max Verstappen may have confirmed his Red Bull stay for 2026, but Dutch pundits and insiders are warning that all is definitely not well at the reigning champions.
Despite extending his commitment to the team following obvious talks with Mercedes, Verstappen’s painful weekend in Hungary raised further doubts about Red Bull’s trajectory – with the car struggling badly through the tight, twisty layout.
“You could hear it on the radio that he was done with it,” former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos told Ziggo Sport. “I think the word ‘painful’ was clear. That’s why his engineer was silent on the radio for a moment.”
Doornbos said the quadruple world champion’s audacious overtake on Hamilton actually showed frustration. “He almost overdid it. He’s taking an incredible amount of risk, purely because he thinks: well, I’ll just race at the limit with what I have – but there was no speed in it.”
Christian Albers, meanwhile, pushed back against the claim of Verstappen’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda that he’s closing the gap to Verstappen. “It’s interesting that the gap between Tsunoda and Max gets smaller when the car is bad,” Albers told De Telegraaf. “When the car is good, the gap gets bigger again.”
Albers said Verstappen was clearly uncomfortable all weekend. “I saw the onboards. You could see Max was suffering. Understeer in the middle of corners is unbelievable. He doesn’t like that.”
Jacques Villeneuve, in La Gazzetta dello Sport, believes Red Bull’s off-track chaos has taken a toll. “There was an internal war, and Helmut Marko and Jos Verstappen beat Christian Horner – but all of them undoubtedly weakened the team.”
Doornbos doesn’t expect a quick fix to that. “It’s quite worrying when you have three full hours of practice – and it wasn’t a sprint weekend – and you still can’t find balance,” he said. “Then it’s not just a one-off, as Helmut Marko said.
“With Marko, the glass is always half full.”
With the first race after the August break taking place at Verstappen’s home GP at Zandvoort, commentator Olav Mol offered a blunt warning: “I’m not trying to upset the people who come to Zandvoort, but I think it will be very similar to Hungary.”
Doornbos is slightly more optimistic. “Zandvoort is old school, with really fast corners,” he said. “Ultimately, a driver can still make a difference in difficult conditions.”
Even so, he admits Verstappen enters the break with low spirits. “That’s not how you go into the summer break with a good feeling.
“But I think he’s already back on his boat somewhere in France or Italy, taking a break from Formula 1,” Doornbos laughed.
Join Grand Prix Tours for the 2025 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas at the Circuit of the Americas - one of the world's finest racing circuits. This year's event features one of six Sprint races on the F1 schedule. Grand Prix Tours offers a fully appointed, personally tailored race experience for passionate enthusiasts at what has become a great American tradition and another anticipated sold-out event.
SHOW PACKAGES
The Indianapolis 500 is an American tradition, and the 2026 race marks the 110th year of this historic event. Guests of Grand Prix Tours will enjoy premium accommodations, options for exclusive suite access, and unforgettable race-day experiences, including a police escort to the track. Highlights include visits to the newly renovated Indy 500 Museum, Gasoline Alley, and the Dallara IndyCar Factory, plus patriotic pre-race festivities like the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana.” Join us for our 41st trip to the legendary Indy 500!
SHOW PACKAGES
The Monaco Grand Prix, often called the crown jewel of Formula 1, is one of the most prestigious races in the world and part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport alongside the Indy 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans. Starting in 2026, the race will move from May to June to better align with the F1 schedule, placing the Canadian Grand Prix earlier in the season. Grand Prix Tours has taken care of all of the details and has arranged an amazing motorsports vacation. Call 949 719 3350 to book your trip or to contact us with any questions.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours for the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix at the iconic Red Bull Ring; a fan favorite that rarely disappoints. Set in Austria’s stunning Styrian Hills, this scenic circuit is famous for its dramatic elevation changes and thrilling uphill turns. We’ve planned every detail so you can relax and enjoy an unforgettable motorsport getaway.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours at the legendary Silverstone Circuit for the 2026 British Grand Prix; the birthplace of modern F1. This isn’t just race weekend; you’ll visit the British Motor Museum, explore the Silverstone Museum, and enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Oracle Red Bull Racing Factory. With over 40 years of experience hosting this trip, we’ve thought of every detail for the ultimate F1 fan experience.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours for the 32nd Goodwood Festival of Speed in the South of England, a long summer weekend celebrating the greatest moments in motorsport. Held at the magnificent Goodwood House, this world-renowned event showcases an unparalleled collection of historic and modern racing cars from the past 125 years. We’ve taken care of every detail so you can enjoy an unforgettable motorsport getaway.
SHOW PACKAGES