Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing): Car significantly improved – just like in 2025?

Max Verstappen has secured two consecutive victories in the last two Formula 1 races. First he won the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang, then the race in Singapore as well as the Sprint there. And all this after a difficult start to the season. Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing are turning the season around – a scenario that will, of course, sound familiar to Formula 1 fans.

Max Verstappen’s late-season successes in 2025 and 2026

Last year, Verstappen staged a spectacular comeback in the final third of the 2025 season, making up a deficit of around 100 points and even fighting for the title at the season finale in Abu Dhabi, which he ultimately missed out on by two points. Now, in the autumn, Verstappen’s successes are suddenly back. Formula 1 is experiencing déjà vu!

Verstappen makes it clear, however, that these are two scenarios that cannot be compared, if only because of the massive changes to the regulations between 2025 and 2026.

This is how Red Bull Racing improved

The Dutchman said after his victory in Singapore: “They are two completely different cars in terms of the regulations. They also present two completely different sets of problems. On top of that, of course, there’s the engine aspect this year. I think it’s been a bit tricky for everyone at times to get the best out of them.” The engine regulations have come in for criticism. “But from the first race until now, I think we’ve gained a lot of experience. Of course, we’re not yet where we want to be, but I reckon everyone would say the same. However, we’ve learnt so much and have definitely addressed many of our weaknesses with the car. We simply have to keep improving and keep learning this year so that we can put that into practice next year as well.”

Verstappen relaxed as the F1 season draws to a close

Verstappen had announced that he now wanted to have plenty of fun for the rest of the season. The four-time world champion said: “The car has definitely felt much better since Baku. It was simply much more balanced. And then, of course, it’s much nicer when you can keep up with the frontrunners without having too many problems with the car, compared to the start of the year, when driving was sometimes even a bit scary.”

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Verstappen: “The way we’ve turned things around, and the huge progress we’ve made this year – all of that naturally makes it much more enjoyable. And if you can pick up a few wins on top of that, it’s just brilliant. We’re not in the running for the championship, so I think we’ll just try to have fun right until the end and pick up more podium finishes and, hopefully, a few more wins.”