Marko and Button Urge Red Bull to Fix RB22 as Verstappen Confidence Falters

Overview

• Helmut Marko, speaking Friday, said the “Max factor” only returns when Verstappen trusts the RB22’s behavior.
• Marko added that the Suzuka upgrade package took the car in the wrong direction and predicted a rebound during the European rounds.
• Jenson Button told Sky Sports F1 that Red Bull must build a faster car, arguing the new in‑house engine looks stronger than the chassis.
• The early races featured setbacks that dented confidence and points, including a Melbourne qualifying crash tied to a car issue, Hadjar’s race-ending engine failure, and Verstappen’s Shanghai retirement from an energy‑recovery system cooling fault.
• Reports also note the forthcoming exit of Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, which could complicate development as Red Bull transitions into a full works power unit program with Ford.