Max Verstappen claims Red Bull is F1's fourth team after Barcelona race

Max Verstappen finished P4 in the 2026 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, 40 seconds behind race winner Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari. After the race, Verstappen candidly stated that Red Bull Racing is currently the fourth team in Formula 1, acknowledging significant performance issues. He noted difficulty in driving the car, attributing it to a lack of pace and chassis inconsistencies. Verstappen’s teammate, Isack Hadjar, experiences similar challenges, indicating broader issues within the team’s setup. Red Bull’s engineers face pressure to develop improvements as they continue the European leg of the season.

• 4:17 PMYahoo Sports — Max Verstappen Admits Red Bull Is Now F1’s “Fourth Team” After Lonely Barcelona Reality Check