Verstappen secured his best results of the 2026 Formula 1 season in Miami, achieving two fifth-place finishes and collecting 14 points, more than he had managed across the opening three race weekends combined.
However, Red Bull’s ongoing issues with getting off the line remained a key concern, with Verstappen admitting that the problem is complex and suggesting that his teammate, Isack Hadjar, has benefited from “luck” rather than superior execution.
Red Bull’s start struggles continue despite Miami progress
Verstappen arrived in Miami under pressure after a difficult start to the season, having scored just 12 points from the first four races. While his results improved significantly across the sprint and Grand Prix, his race starts once again proved problematic.
During the opening three race weekends, Red Bull, Mercedes and Audi all experienced difficulties with their launches, frequently losing several positions within the first few metres. Verstappen, in particular, found himself near the back of the field by the first braking zone in both Australia and China.
Although there were slight improvements in Japan, the issue persisted. The pattern continued in Miami, highlighting a weakness that Red Bull has yet to resolve.
The Miami races highlighted persistent launch issues
In the sprint race, Verstappen lost three positions after experiencing issues with power delivery in the opening phase, following a close battle with Lewis Hamilton and Franco Colapinto.
The Grand Prix start was marginally better, but still far from competitive. From the second row, both Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris got off to a much stronger start, immediately putting Verstappen on the back foot.
“I’ve only had bad starts so far,” Verstappen admitted to Dutch media, reflecting his ongoing frustration with the issue.
Verstappen: “Many things go wrong” in the start procedure
Despite Red Bull’s ability to analyse data after each race, Verstappen was unable to explain why the problem keeps recurring.
“I wish I knew. There are a lot of things that keep going wrong,’ he said, indicating that the issue does not stem from a single, consistent fault.”
He also rejected the suggestion that driver execution was to blame.
“I follow the procedure correctly, but something always goes wrong,” he explained, highlighting the unpredictable factors that affect performance at the start.
Verstappen dismissed Hadjar’s strong starts as ‘luck’
When it was pointed out that his teammate, Isack Hadjar, has managed several strong starts this season, Verstappen was quick to downplay the comparison.
“Yes, but that’s just luck. Sometimes, doing the wrong things works out,” he said.
His comments suggest that Hadjar may not be strictly following the prescribed start procedure yet is still achieving better results off the line. Rather than praising his teammate, Verstappen’s response highlights his frustration and the uncertainty surrounding Red Bull’s launch issues.
Why does this matter for Red Bull’s 2026 season?
Start performance has become a decisive factor in the early phase of the 2026 season, particularly given the tighter competition at the front and the way that evolving technical regulations are affecting car behaviour. Just look at Ferrari, who frequently are beating cars off the line from a starting start due to their engine design.
For Red Bull, inconsistent launches are costing valuable track position and exposing drivers to early-race battles that compromise overall strategy. While Verstappen’s results in Miami marked a step forward, the underlying issue remains unresolved.
With rivals such as Ferrari and McLaren demonstrating stronger and more consistent starts, Red Bull’s ability to address this weakness could be pivotal in determining the outcome of their season.
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