Max Verstappen lags 110 points behind Kimi Antonelli in the 2026 F1 championship, calling Red Bull's performance 'tough'. The RB22 car faces persistent issues, including car degradation and mid-corner understeer, costing 1.3 seconds per lap in early races. Verstappen emphasizes the need to improve overall performance and resolve weekend-specific setbacks. Technical director Pierre Wache identifies entry stability and weight distribution as key limitations. Despite progress since the rocky start, Red Bull struggles with driver feedback and mechanical consistency. Verstappen stresses the urgency to 'find more performance' and eliminate surprises. The team aims to balance reliability with race pace, particularly after Hungary's degradation issues. Progress has been made, but consistency remains a challenge.

Red Bull's RB22 chassis has shown competitiveness in power unit tests but lags in corner entry and mid-corner stability. Verstappen notes that the car 'gets worse over a weekend,' impacting race results. Pierre Wache acknowledges the car's limitations in balance and load management, requiring mechanical adjustments. Both drivers agree that entry stability is critical to unlock potential. While the team has improved from 2026's opening phase, Verstappen remains focused on 'more straightforward weekends.'

The Dutch driver acknowledges the 2026 season's complexity, with new regulations and technical hurdles. Red Bull's deficit stems from chassis shortcomings and weight, despite the DM01 engine's performance. Verstappen highlights that 'every weekend brings new problems,' reflecting the team's struggle to adapt. The focus is on resolving degradation and instability to close the gap to Antonelli. Wache confirms that driver feedback drives technical changes, but progress is uneven. The priority remains finding 'more performance' while fixing recurring issues.

Verstappen's 'big priority' hinges on closing the 110-point deficit and stabilizing the RB22. He compares the challenge to last season's comeback but notes this year's problems are 'more complex.' The team must address mechanical gremlins and driver feel, which affected early races. Despite setbacks, Red Bull has shown resilience, but Verstappen insists on 'more all-round' performance. The RB22's weight and understeer remain critical factors. With Antonelli leading, Verstappen's focus is on closing the gap through technical refinements and reliability.