A notable statistic for Max Verstappen this season highlights a deeper issue within the Red Bull team. The driver has recorded a high number of on-track overtakes, a figure that points not to dominance but to persistent qualifying difficulties in the 2026 season.
This necessity for race-day recoveries stems from recurring problems with the RB22 car. Throughout the current campaign, both Verstappen and the team have pointed to fundamental balance issues, bouncing, and general instability, particularly over a single qualifying lap.
The data reflects this struggle clearly. Verstappen’s average grid position this year is significantly worse than in his championship-winning seasons. This has frequently forced him to fight through the midfield, inflating his overtake count as a result of poor starting positions.
Following qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, where he secured sixth, Verstappen again cited bouncing and imbalance as key factors. These issues have become a frustrating pattern for the team, preventing them from consistently challenging the front-runners on Saturdays.
The situation has led Verstappen to alter his approach during race weekends. He has admitted to deliberately holding back on occasion, stating that with no championship at stake, taking major risks for minor positions is not a priority.
Verstappen has also been openly critical of the 2026 regulations. He described the driving style required, with its heavy focus on energy management, as feeling unnatural and restrictive for a driver who thrives on pushing a car to its absolute limits.
Despite the car’s shortcomings, Verstappen has consistently outperformed his teammate, Isack Hadjar, in both qualifying and race trim. This performance gap underscores that Verstappen is extracting more from the difficult machinery than should be possible.
The high number of overtakes, therefore, tells a different story than the one a team might wish for. It serves as a clear indicator of the performance deficit Red Bull must overcome, particularly in qualifying, to return to contention for race wins.
