'We can have a bit of chaos' – Verstappen and Lawson rate Red Bull's chances in Madrid

Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson have rated Red Bull's chances at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, with the Madring set to host its inaugural Formula 1 event.

The high-speed street circuit promises to offer drivers and teams a new challenge that could open the door for an unexpected result.

Red Bull and Verstappen have yet to register a win this season, with the Dutchman suggesting that the perils of a street circuit, along with the unknown of a new venue, could potentially give him his best chance yet.

"I think the practice sessions are crucial, and hopefully we just get a good feeling with the car. I think if you have a good feeling with the car, you’re actually a bit more competitive, and hopefully that will put us into a place where we can fight again around a podium," he said.

"I always try my best to try and win a race, at least this year, but for sure it’s not going to be easy to win a race. But we’ll see. Maybe, first race here, we can have a bit of chaos. You need to luck in maybe a little bit, but we keep trying.

"It probably is a car killer [circuit] from what I’ve seen so far. You just need to try and stay out of the wall, try and get the best possible feeling in the car. When you are confident in the car on a street circuit, it helps a lot.

"It’s difficult to say at the moment how everything is going to go. And, I mean, driver track or not, you still need a good car. That’s the most important thing."

Lawson, meanwhile, will continue to stand in for the injured Isack Hadjar having already raced for Red Bull in Zandvoort and Monza.

The New Zealander missed out on points last weekend in Italy but believes he is adapting further to Red Bull's 2026 challenger, which will be even more crucial at a new venue.

"This track is quite different to what we've been racing on. It's obviously new for all of us so it's going to take some time to learn," he said.

"For us as drivers, the teams as well with the car, I'm sure it's going to be challenging but the more time I spend in the car the more I'm going to naturally get a bit more comfortable.

Lawson added: "It's not my car and obviously in your own car you have many things that are very suited for you, and that's not something I can do in a couple of races with this car. More time I spend in it, more comfortable I get."