Azerbaijan GP 2026: Verstappen flags engine issue

Max Verstappen said an engine problem hurt his Baku qualifying and left him eighth on the grid, with Red Bull's session falling short by his account.

Max Verstappen said an engine problem compromised his qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and left him eighth on the grid in Baku. Formula1.com reported the Red Bull driver said the team's performance in qualifying was "not good enough".

Autosport and Motorsport.com reported the problem initially looked like a deployment or electrical issue before Verstappen traced it to the engine. Both outlets also said he had set the pace in final practice and felt positive about Red Bull's upgrades before qualifying.

Verstappen arrived in Baku sixth in the 2026 drivers' championship on 145 points. The Dutch driver, who has 242 Formula 1 starts, 71 wins, 51 poles and 129 podiums, will now try to recover from the fourth row.