Four-time world champion Max Verstappen appeared dejected on Saturday after qualifying only eighth for the Chinese Grand Prix, describing every lap in his struggling Red Bull as “survival.”

The formerly dominant Red Bulls have been hit hard by Formula 1’s sweeping 2026 regulations. Verstappen failed to score points in the morning sprint race, finishing ninth, and for a second consecutive day, his best time left him no higher than eighth.

“Nothing works. So it’s just not nice,” Verstappen told Sky F1 after ending nearly 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.”

Red Bull continues to struggle with pace in only the second race weekend of the season, having replaced Honda with their new in-house Ford power units. Adapting to the updated aerodynamic and chassis regulations, amid F1’s 50-50 split between conventional and electrical power, has proven equally challenging.

“It’s just very inconsistent. I cannot build a reference in qualifying,” Verstappen said. “Whatever lap I do, I’m like, that’s it? Can I go four-tenths faster? Maybe? Can I go four-tenths slower? That’s a big chance as well, because it’s just all over the place.”

His teammate, Isack Hadjar, qualified ninth, barely making the top-10 shootout.

Verstappen, who recovered from a qualifying crash in Australia last weekend to finish sixth from 20th on the grid, held little optimism for Sunday’s race.

“It’s just incredibly difficult,” he said. “I honestly think it’s going to be quite tough tomorrow.”