Verstappen desperate to win at least one race

Max Verstappen finds himself in a challenging position this season, desperate to secure at least one race victory as he has managed to win none so far. With the 2026 Formula 1 season approaching and new regulations in place, Verstappen has won 71 races but has fallen short of the podium since Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year. This marks his first winless season since joining Red Bull ten years ago.

Despite consistent podium finishes recently, Verstappen is determined to win at least one race in the remaining 2026 races. Speaking ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, he expressed his desire to win, emphasizing that winning races is his main objective. Verstappen's recent run of fourth-place finishes in the last eight races highlights his desperate pursuit of a win.

Currently, he stands sixth in the standings, trailing significantly behind his teammate and leader, Kimi Antolin. When asked about tracks that might suit his chances, Verstappen admitted uncertainty due to other teams' constant upgrades. However, he mentioned that physically, high tyre wear could hinder his chances of winning at Sepang.

Verstappen noted that he enjoys racing at tracks like Sepang due to its layout, but the high degradation and heat make it challenging. He believes Red Bull excelled at Baku due to its unique characteristics, but the Sepang circuit might be more advantageous for Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes. Verstappen sees this as an opportunity to learn and improve the car for next year, with each race serving as a stepping stone towards achieving his goal of winning at least one race in 2026.