Red Bull insight: steering issues were troubling Verstappen — “Now it’s finally fixed”
Red Bull has returned to fighting at the front with Max Verstappen, reaping the rewards of a development programme that has focused on three key areas. The Milton Keynes-based team has brought the RB22 closer to the minimum weight, addressed its aerodynamic weaknesses, and crucially resolved steering issues that the Dutch driver had been reporting since pre-season testing.
The four-time world champion has now regained confidence in the car—the same machine he had described just weeks ago as extremely difficult to drive.
Steering problems finally resolved
It was Max Verstappen himself who revealed the steering-related changes, speaking about the progress made with the RB22 during the Miami Grand Prix weekend:
“I said from the very first lap of testing in Barcelona that something wasn’t right with the steering, but it was clearly very difficult to pinpoint. Now, finally, it has been fixed,” the Dutch driver explained, as reported by Total-Motorsport.
Verstappen emphasised that the work carried out by Red Bull was far from straightforward:
“It wasn’t as simple as it might seem. People think about the steering wheel, but there are many elements that have to come together, including aerodynamics. In the end, the entire suspension is designed to be aerodynamically optimal, which is why so many factors are involved, making things more complicated.”
Hidden changes and technical hypotheses
Red Bull did not officially declare any steering modifications during the Miami weekend. However, it is worth remembering that teams are not required to disclose changes that are not visible externally.
One plausible explanation is that the team improved the car’s response to steering inputs by working on the power steering hydraulics and/or by refining the mechanical setup of the front suspension.
For drivers, having a consistent and predictable level of power steering assistance is essential in order to precisely modulate the effort applied to the steering wheel. This aspect was highlighted last season by Charles Leclerc, who complained about power steering issues that affected confidence, particularly in high-speed corners.
The RB22 transformation
The challenge in such cases lies in providing adequate steering support without overly filtering the forces transmitted from the front wheels to the driver’s hands. Last year, Lando Norris experienced similar difficulties, prompting McLaren to introduce mechanical changes to improve tyre feedback, especially when approaching braking lock-up.
Verstappen has not disclosed many specific details, leaving it unclear whether the issues he experienced were primarily related to feedback from the front tyres or to the physical steering effort required. What is certain is that Red Bull needed several races to fine-tune this aspect, particularly after making significant changes to the steering system compared to the 2025 car.
The RB22 differs from its predecessor in the positioning of the steering arm, which has been raised relative to the lower suspension elements. In addition, the suspension layout has shifted from a pull-rod to a push-rod configuration, while also significantly reducing the angle of the upper wishbones.
These choices were made to better manage airflow coming from the front wing towards the floor, on a car that represents a major aerodynamic departure from previous designs. At the same time, however, the new steering and suspension configuration has influenced the car’s dynamic response in corners, requiring a different management of steering forces.
The team now appears to have found a balanced solution, also benefiting from aerodynamic updates and weight reduction, which have widened the car’s operating window and provided greater flexibility in mechanical setup.
Step by step, Red Bull is resolving its issues—boosting Verstappen’s confidence and allowing him to push the RB22 closer to its true limits.
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