Max Verstappen saw his 2026 Chinese Grand Prix end in the worst possible way after an impressive comeback from the back of the grid.
Read more Lando Norris dejected after a painful Formula 1 debut
As in Saturday’s sprint, Max Verstappen was once again slow at the start of the Chinese Grand Prix, losing many positions in the first few meters on the Shanghai circuit. Starting 16th on the grid, the four-time world champion worked hard to move up through the field, demonstrating all his ability to manage the race and overtake rivals with precision.
As the mid-point of the race approached, he had reached sixth place, just behind Haas driver Oliver Bearman, and seemed poised to score points despite a very unfavorable start. This progress highlighted the potential of his Red Bull RB22, but also the team’s limits in the face of recurring technical issues.
An ERS failure forces retirement
The situation changed on lap 45, when Verstappen suddenly slowed down on the straight. Immediately alerted, Red Bull decided to call the Dutch driver back to the pits to end his race.
Read more Max Verstappen issues a brutal warning to F1: «These rules will destroy the sport»
The Milton Keynes team has since explained the reason for this sudden retirement: a malfunction of the energy recovery system (ERS) due to overheating of the coolant. To avoid irreparable damage to the car, the internal race management made the decision to bring Verstappen in and withdraw the RB22 from the track.
A ruined race despite a great comeback
This Chinese weekend perfectly illustrates the frustration experienced by the four-time champion: a failed start, then a solid race but ultimately ruined by a mechanical problem independent of his performance. Despite his impressive comeback, Verstappen leaves without points, for the third time in four seasons on an F1 weekend.
Red Bull remains focused on protecting its cars and understanding the current limits of the ERS to prevent this type of problem from recurring in future races. This setback also highlights the importance of reliability in a season where every point can make a difference in the championship fight.
Read more Graining, strategy and tires under pressure: the challenge awaiting F1 in Shanghai