Verstappen Slams 'Paper' RB22 as Red Bull Hits Rock Bottom at Monza

Verstappen’s Monza Meltdown

The atmosphere at Milton Keynes has reached a boiling point following a disastrous qualifying session at the Temple of Speed. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen could only manage the sixth-fastest time, finishing significantly behind pole-sitter Pierre Gasly. Verstappen was visibly fuming after the session, delivering a scathing assessment of the RB22 that has many wondering if the relationship between the driver and the team has reached a point of no return. "The car is jumping around like it’s made of paper," Verstappen told reporters. "At some points, I felt like I had **less power than a Fiat Punto**. It’s a shame because everyone is doing their best, but it just hasn't worked properly all season."

Technical Failures and Grid Penalties

The technical issues plaguing Red Bull were not limited to pure speed; the rear of the car reportedly failed to cope with the kerbs and bumps of the Monza circuit. Verstappen made the shocking revelation that he has begun to deliberately "hold back" during sessions when the car feels unpredictable, refusing to take unnecessary risks for minor points. Adding to the team's misery, Liam Lawson—who continues to fill in for the injured Isack Hadjar—will start from the very back of the grid on Sunday. The FIA confirmed a staggering 35-place grid penalty for the New Zealander after Red Bull opted to take a completely new power unit on Saturday. With Laurent Mekies now at the helm and the team sitting a distant fourth in the Constructors' Championship, the lack of development progress is glaring. Red Bull faces what Verstappen described as a "painful race" as they struggle to keep pace with the dominant Mercedes and Ferrari entries. The team must now decide whether they can even fix the mechanical gremlins under parc ferme regulations before the lights go out on Sunday.