Verstappen Eyes a 2026 Win Amid Challenging Season

Max Verstappen is on a mission to snag a victory before the 2026 season wraps up. Despite a slew of podium finishes, the Dutchman wants nothing less than standing on the top step. His team, Red Bull, is currently fourth in the Teams’ Championship, trailing the front-runners after a rocky start to the year. Yet, recent races show promise, with Verstappen and teammate Isack Hadjar securing a 2-3 finish in Azerbaijan, just a hair behind winner George Russell.

At the Bahrain Grand Prix media day, held intriguingly in Malaysia, Verstappen reflected on his recent performance. He's outscored both Ferrari and McLaren over the last three races, but Mercedes remains the one to beat. "Unfortunately, we're not outscoring Mercedes," Verstappen admitted. "They're the fastest, but I'm trying everything I can. We’re racking up podiums, but I want to win. That's why I'm here."

Verstappen was particularly pleased with the car's performance in Baku. "The parts we got worked well, but Baku's always been kind to us with its unique layout," he noted. As the season progresses, the remaining races will serve as a testing ground for next year's car development. "We're not in the championship fight, so it's a learning curve," he explained, adding that the team has made significant strides compared to the season's shaky start.

Looking ahead, Verstappen acknowledged that catching up to Mercedes might be a tall order, especially with their upcoming upgrades. "If you bring an upgrade, it should go faster, and they're already quick," he remarked. Yet, he remains undeterred, stating, "Every weekend, we'll try our best and see where it leads us."

Verstappen has fond memories of the Sepang International Circuit, the last F1 venue in Malaysia he conquered back in 2017. "I always enjoyed racing here," he reminisced. "The track layout is challenging, with high degradation and heat making it physically demanding, but I have great memories."

With a few more races left on the calendar, Verstappen and Red Bull are focused on fine-tuning their car and strategies. Whether they can topple Mercedes remains to be seen, but Verstappen's determination is undeniable — he's ready to battle for that elusive victory.