Verstappen slams Red Bull RB22 after tense radio exchange with team boss at Italian GP

Saturday’s qualifying at Monza turned into a brief drama for Red Bull, as Max Verstappen let slip on the team radio that his RB22 was "made out of paper" after a disappointing P6 finish.

The Dutchman had actually looked sharp in the earlier sessions, topping the third free‑practice run in third place, just three‑tenths off George Russell’s pole‑setting lap. It seemed the car had finally found a rhythm.

But the good vibes evaporated in Q3. Verstappen’s final attempt failed to shave off enough time, and he slid out of the top five, leaving him in sixth on the grid.

Post‑session analysis pointed to a nagging rear‑axle issue. The problem made the car twitch over the iconic Monza bumps and curbs, stealing precious tenths – Verstappen estimated at least two‑tenths per lap.

Team principal Laurent Mekies was quick to address the situation over the radio, saying, "Sorry Max for the last run, a mess. Pace was much better overall, but it’s frustrating. Much improved compared to yesterday, well done."

Verstappen’s reply was blunt and unmistakable: "I mean, it’s better, but this car is made out of paper." The comment captured his growing irritation with a machine that felt fragile at the worst possible moment.

In a later interview, the four‑time world champion explained that the rear‑axle quirk had cropped up at random throughout the weekend, making the RB22 “super difficult to drive” when it should have been smooth over the curbs. He added that the issue had cost him at least a few tenths of a second, enough to knock him out of a potential podium fight.

Interestingly, Verstappen noted that the car felt “comfortable to drive for once” in FP3 and that the team made virtually no set‑up changes before qualifying. Yet the axle problem persisted, underscoring how a seemingly minor component can upend a driver’s confidence.

The radio spat, while brief, highlighted a strain inside Red Bull as they juggle championship ambitions with the practical headaches of a new 2026 car. Whether the team can iron out these growing‑pains before the next round remains to be seen.