Max Verstappen explains the ‘biggest problem’ Red Bull’s latest update package hasn’t fixed after Imola qualifying

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen has once again put himself in a position to potentially win a Grand Prix despite not possessing the fastest car on the grid.

Max Verstappen was just edged out by McLaren star Oscar Piastri in qualifying for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

However, he will start on the front row for Red Bull ahead of George Russell and Lando Norris and is only one strong launch away from taking the lead into the first corner on a track where overtaking is notoriously difficult.

Verstappen has made a habit of extracting the maximum possible potential out of a car that’s far from easy to drive.

His teammate Yuki Tsunoda pushed too hard on his first flying lap of Q1 and after a terrifying crash, he’ll start from the back of the grid.

Fans were delighted Tsunoda walked away unscathed from his crash, however, it’s also raised questions about his future, with Jacques Villeneuve suggesting Tsunoda is under increasing pressure from Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar.

Red Bull tried to alleviate some of the problems both of their drivers have faced this year by delivering their biggest update package of the season to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

It appears to have done the trick, as the gap to McLaren seems to have narrowed.

However, Verstappen explained that Red Bull have still failed to address the ‘biggest problem’ holding McLaren’s rivals back this season.

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Max Verstappen says Red Bull’s latest update package has impacted their tyre management

Verstappen was asked in an interview with the Dutch media, via Motorsport, if Red Bull’s latest update package helps deal with the RB21’s tyre wear problems and he responded, “No. It is of course better in terms of balance, but if the tyres get too hot, they get too hot.”

In his opinion, this rules him out of being in contention to win Sunday’s race, explaining, “It will go a bit better [than in Miami], but I don’t think we can really attack them, just because they have less overheating.”

Verstappen has insisted that there’s still a key aspect that Red Bull needs to improve with future upgrades and said, “Well, we mainly have to make sure that our tyres don’t overheat.

“That’s still our biggest problem. We can put ten more updates on the car, but the most important thing is that we get those tyres under control.”

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Max Verstappen rules out one option for the 2026 Formula 1 season

Red Bull taking a step forward with their car is not only positive in the short-term but will give Verstappen more confidence about their long-term prospects.

There have been question marks about whether Red Bull’s progress has been hampered by the loss of the likes of Adrian Newey and Rob Marshall to Aston Martin and McLaren respectively.

However, Pierre Wache appears to have overseen a set of updates that have improved the car, even if tyre management is still an issue.

The Dutchman’s future has been a big talking point this year, as Verstappen has a get-out clause that allows him to leave if he’s not in the top two in the championship by the summer break.

It’s not known what the 27-year-old plans to do next, but Verstappen has ruled out a sabbatical in 2026.

It would allow him to analyse who the fastest team in the paddock is when the new regulations are introduced, but taking a year out of racing isn’t in his mind right now.