Max Verstappen delivered one of the funniest team radio exchanges of the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix weekend after becoming frustrated with Red Bull’s gearbox and power unit behaviour during Friday practice at Interlagos. The Dutchman sarcastically asked whether he was supposed to talk directly to his engine after race engineer Tom Hart explained that the system was adapting to his driving style.
Despite finishing third in both free practice sessions, Max Verstappen endured a far more complicated Friday than the results suggested. Problems with downshifts, increasingly heavy steering and inconsistent power unit behaviour left the Red Bull driver dissatisfied with his car, even though he remained among the fastest drivers on track.
Max Verstappen jokes about talking to Red Bull engine during Brazilian GP FP2
The most entertaining moment came during the second free practice session, when Max Verstappen contacted his race engineer, Tom Hart, about the difficulties he was experiencing with the car’s behaviour.
Hart explained over the radio that there was no setting on the steering wheel that would allow the driver to intervene directly and correct the problem. Instead, the system was adapting to Verstappen’s driving style.
The explanation did little to convince the four-time Formula 1 world champion, who immediately responded with a sarcastic question.
“What does that mean? Am I supposed to talk directly to the engine?” Max Verstappen asked.
When Hart added that the situation should gradually improve, the Red Bull driver took the joke even further, imagining a conversation with his own car.
“I think I should do this: ‘Hey, clutch, I’m changing gear! Otherwise, you’ll be punished!'”
The exchange provided one of Friday’s most amusing team radio moments at Interlagos, although the humour reflected genuine frustration with the technical problems affecting Verstappen’s preparations.
Red Bull gearbox and steering problems frustrate Max Verstappen at Interlagos
Max Verstappen’s difficulties had already become apparent during the opening free practice session. The Dutchman described the gearbox’s behaviour during downshifts as “unacceptable” and also complained that the steering had become so heavy that driving the car felt like a physical workout.
The steering difficulties continued during FP2, adding to the problems with the power unit and gear changes. Verstappen eventually ended his running early, returning to the pits with approximately five minutes remaining before the chequered flag.
Red Bull therefore has several areas to investigate before the remainder of the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend. The issues with the transmission and power unit are particularly frustrating for a driver who has already raised concerns about Red Bull engine behaviour following the United States Grand Prix.
The difficulties also come after Max Verstappen joked about the team’s starting problems during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, another occasion when technical frustrations produced a humorous response from the Dutchman.
Max Verstappen finishes third despite Red Bull technical difficulties
For all the problems encountered during Friday practice, Max Verstappen remained competitive at Interlagos. The Red Bull driver finished third in both sessions, ending FP2 just 0.259 seconds behind the fastest time set by Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
The result suggests that Red Bull has the potential to challenge near the front, provided the team can improve the consistency of the car’s behaviour. However, the issues with downshifting, steering effort and power unit response have left the engineers with work to complete before qualifying.
Verstappen’s third-place finish offered some encouragement, but it did not disguise his dissatisfaction with the way the car was behaving. As Red Bull prepares for the next sessions at Interlagos, the priority will be understanding the problems and providing a more predictable car.
And if the team’s engineers cannot resolve the clutch’s behaviour through the usual technical adjustments, Max Verstappen has already jokingly suggested an alternative: perhaps someone should simply explain to the clutch that he was not messing around.
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