Formula 1 analyst Tim Coronel has criticized Max Verstappen's recent performances and mindset following a difficult sprint race on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
The Red Bull Racing driver finished sixth after a poor start caused by wheelspin.
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Coronel noted that Verstappen lacked his usual fiery attitude while dealing with energy management and balance issues in the RB22.
The analyst observed that the opening stages of the sprint required careful battery deployment and tire preservation, leading to significant field shifts.
Verstappen dropped two positions after the initial chaos as his pace fell six to seven tenths behind the frontrunners due to tire degradation.
Coronel highlighted that Red Bull still has work to do on race starts, referencing a similar issue with junior driver Isack Hadjar.
Verstappen admitted to wheelspin in his post-race interview, an honest assessment that Coronel praised.
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However, the analyst warned that the driver's technical complaints about slow corners, fast corners, and tire degradation indicate a challenging path forward for the main events.
Call for More Passion
Earlier, on the program Vroooom, Coronel expressed annoyance with Verstappen's increasingly submissive demeanor in media appearances during a difficult season.
The four-time world champion currently sits seventh in the standings with 73 points.
Coronel simulated Verstappen's typical aggressive demands for car improvements, calling for a return to that passionate mindset.
Despite the criticism, Coronel dismissed the idea that teammate Hadjar could surpass Verstappen, placing him above championship leader Kimi Antonelli in pure talent.
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Antonelli leads the world championship for Mercedes with 171 points, but Coronel believes the equipment creates the performance gap rather than driving capability.
