Verstappen confirms Red Bull will revert to previous rear wing after DRS issues
Max Verstappen has confirmed that Red Bull will abandon its latest rear wing specification for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, with the team reverting to its previous design following two consecutive race weekends compromised by DRS-related problems.
The new rear wing, featuring a Ferrari-inspired "Macarena" concept designed to improve aerodynamic efficiency, has endured a difficult period lately.
In Austria, Verstappen crashed during his final qualifying run after the rear wing failed to return to its closed position, while a similar issue contributed to his retirement at Silverstone after the DRS flap again failed to close properly.
Speaking ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, Verstappen confirmed the decision to return to the older specification.
"I think it's quite obvious, no? So, yeah, we'll go back to the old one and then see whenever the latest, or new one, is ready again to be used for us."
The Dutchman also admitted that Red Bull's recent form has made it difficult to predict what to expect this weekend. While the RB22 looked competitive in Austria before its qualifying setback, Silverstone proved to be a much more difficult event for the Milton Keynes-based squad.
"Exactly like that, and that's why I also don't really know what to expect here. So, it's better not to think about it too much and just go out."
Red Bull hopes that returning to the previous rear wing will eliminate the reliability concerns surrounding the DRS mechanism while engineers continue to investigate and refine the newer design before it is reintroduced later in the season.
Despite the recent setbacks and the team's ongoing development challenges, Verstappen remains calm about Red Bull's trajectory. Asked whether he is concerned by the team's transition into becoming its own power unit manufacturer and the recent departures of key engineering figures—including Michael Manning—the four-time World Champion insisted the team's mindset remains unchanged.
"We're just looking to the future, trying to fix the current issues that we have on the car, but that's a very open discussion."
He explained that frustration after disappointing weekends is natural, but that Red Bull has always focused on quickly regrouping and moving forward.
"Sometimes you get a little bit disappointed or upset after a race, but, for example, after Silverstone you go home, you reset. On Wednesday, I was back at the factory and then you prepare again for the weekends ahead. That's how we've been operating all the years together."
Verstappen also dismissed suggestions that personnel changes should cause alarm, describing them as a normal part of Formula One.
"Of course, some years you're just a little bit more competitive than others, but in terms of my approach and how we work as a team, nothing really changes. People come and go. I think that's sometimes also part of the process."
"Sometimes you want people to stay, potentially, yes, but I think that's just how life is and how sport is as well. You just have to carry on and try to find new talent. That's what you also look at all the time, and that's what we do."
