Red Bull Technical Director Pierre Wache has detailed what he has labelled “limitations” after another challenging race for the team at the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Frustration on and off the track has dominated Red Bull’s 2026 season, as the RB22 has so far failed to match the drivability and speed of its 2024 counterpart.
Its issues centre on a narrow operating window that can disappear if there is even the slightest change in track condition, or when very minor damage occurs.
This has led to Max Verstappen and teammate Isack Hadjar taking to the radio to complain over car balance, gear ratios and, in some cases, feeling the car coming apart.
In Hungary, Wache detailed the struggles Red Bull has, and continues to endure, in a race where Verstappen raced to an unlikely and unexpected second.
“I think, as with every racing car, you see some limitations in how the driver can use the car and the load of it,” he said.
“The characteristics limit what you can do in terms of balance and trying to rebalance the car.
“Clearly, we have some limitations, like every racing car, in terms of stability on entry and mid-corner understeer, and we try to avoid those aspects by using some mechanical tools to achieve it.
“On your second question, regarding the issue with the car at the beginning, clearly we were missing some load compared to some others.
“We also had some mechanical gremlins on the car, which meant the driver didn’t feel the car through the steering, and we corrected that at the beginning.
“It took a little bit of time, but it was on top of the overall performance and potential of the car.
“We had some issues with driver feeling here. It’s not a secret.”
Red Bull praises “progress” improving the RB22
Despite the challenges, Wache praised Red Bull for making “progress” as it attempts to avoid its first winless season since 2015.
“I think the main aspect is that we started behind and, for sure, we have progressed,” he admitted.
“I think it’s a very good job from the team to progress and to arrive where we are.
“We still aren’t where we would like to be, but, as Adrian mentioned, you try to do your best, try to understand what is not working and what you can do better, and after that you see where you are.
“But the main thing is that the progress was interesting as a team.”
Red Bull found itself in a title battle with McLaren last season, forced to develop the RB21 until late in the season, a factor Wache was coy on when asked if it had impacted 2026.
“It’s difficult to say,” he said.
“At the end, I think some others just did a very good job.
“For sure, we fought until the end, and like the other team, McLaren, I think we are a little bit behind, both of us, based on what we did last year.”
Wache’s admittance of inherent issues with the RB22 will be of little consolation to Verstappen, who enters the summer break with his infamous contract break clause now in effect.
All eyes will be on Red Bull in Zandvoort to see how the car performs on Verstappen’s home turf, with more than just pride at stake for team and driver.
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