The Red Bull steering wheel is a problem for Max Verstappen as he starts the Bahrain Grand Prix from the pole position at Sepang, which has already been postponed due to harsh weather.
Verstappen said he could push the steering wheel forward and backward on the column and that it had “free play” before the race began on Red Bull team radio. The comments immediately sparked questions about whether the problem would impact his confidence or the RB22’s handling in a race already plagued by unpredictable conditions.
It’s a time of year that couldn’t be more relevant. Verstappen qualified first in the 2026 season on Saturday, finishing 0.298 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton with a 1:35.130 lap. This was a big turnaround for Red Bull as they had a rough start to the campaign.
Verstappen’s Steering Wheel Issue Adds Another Concern
Verstappen’s remarks are especially significant as Red Bull has made significant strides with the RB22 in recent races. The Dutchman was 0.196 seconds back of George Russell in Azerbaijan last weekend and has said the car is much easier to drive since the upgrades.
In the early part of the season, Verstappen was openly frustrated with his Red Bull’s behavior, stating that he had encountered instances where he turned the wheel and it reacted in an unexpected way. Since then, he has stated that the Baku upgrade has made the car more predictable and enabled him to get more out of it.
(Photo by Marcel van Dorst/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Max Verstappen said on the team radio, “I actually have one problem with the steering wheel. I can push it forward and backwards on the column.”
The Dutchman said, “Like there’s free play”.
That makes the new steering wheel gripe particularly interesting. At Sepang, high-speed corners, long straights, and heavy braking sections can make even a minor mechanical problem significant for both driver and car.
Bahrain GP Delayed as Verstappen Waits on Pole
Verstappen is now in a much tougher spot than when he took pole. Heavy rain and lightning have delayed the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, with teams having to deal with wet-weather conditions at a circuit where recent F1 data is extremely limited.
The Dutchman will share the front row with Hamilton, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli has jumped to third due to Isack Hadjar’s five-place grid penalty.
Verstappen is now within reach of his first win of the season, after failing to win in Azerbaijan. However, the weather delay and his recently disclosed steering-wheel issue may make for a much harder afternoon for the pole-sitter.
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