Max Verstappen insists it would take a "very zen person" to remain optimistic with the current situation at Red Bull as the Milton Keynes-based team continues to endure its difficult F1 campaign.
Save for two podium finishes, built on the foundation of exceptional performances from the Dutchman, the Laurent Mekies-led squad has struggled in 2026.
At the advent of its power unit project in collaboration with Ford, which has surpassed early expectations, the six-time constructors' champion has again found itself unable to develop a consistent and predictable chassis.
The RB22, like the cars that came before it in the previous generation of F1, has proven troublesome across the opening nine rounds of the season, and it has left a driver of even Verstappen's ability too often only fighting for points, when victories and titles are the aspiration.
It has left the four-time F1 drivers' champion's relationship with Red Bull close to breaking point, and with the reported exit clause in his contract now free to be activated, there is every chance he leaves for pastures new this winter, despite the deal running for a further two years.
At the British Grand Prix, Verstappen looked on course for a second consecutive podium when his rear wing failed, for the second time in two weekends, after his qualifying crash at the Red Bull Ring.
And following his retirement at Silverstone, the 28-year-old was unable to mask his frustrations, lamenting the "super dangerous" rotating rear wing, and refusing to discuss his future on the grounds of fairness.
"It would be a very zen person to be optimistic at the moment, given what happened again this weekend," Verstappen told media, including RacingNews365. "I'm sorry, but it's just like that.
"I need a few days, I think, to reset and try again."
With his future uncertain and Red Bull showing only fleeting signs of returning to the dominant force it once was, Verstappen was nonetheless quick to defend his team, despite the "painful" situation.
"Everyone is trying their best," the 71-time grand prix winner added.
"I'm not blaming one person or whatever. It's just painful for everyone that this is happening."
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Nick Golding and Samuel Coop as they look back on last weekend's British Grand Prix! They discuss whether the title fight has been blown wide open, if Ferrari is a genuine contender and Max Verstappen's major criticism of the RB22.
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