Four-time world champion Max Verstappen cut a disconsolate figure Saturday after qualifying only eighth for the Chinese Grand Prix, saying every lap in his underperforming Red Bull was about "survival". 

The once dominant Red Bulls have suffered more than most from Formula One's sweeping new regulations in 2026. Verstappen failed to finish in the points in the morning sprint race, limping home in ninth and for the second day running was no quicker than eighth on the timesheets in any session. "Nothing works. So it's just not nice," a down-in-the-dumps Verstappen told Sky F1 after finishing almost a second behind pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes. "I cannot push. Every lap is honestly survival for me. I'm not enjoying it at all."