Max Verstappen, Red Bull Finding Championship Form As F1 Season Winds Down
Earlier this year, Verstappen suggested retirement was on his mind.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull are preparing for the final stages of the 2026 Formula One season, acknowledging that the title is already secured. Verstappen, who started the year slowly with only one podium finish in his first seven races, has recently returned to form. Currently sitting in fourth place in the drivers' championship, 119 points behind leader Kimi Antolin of Mercedes, Verstappen has secured two wins and a runner-up finish over the last three race weekends in Azerbaijan, Malaysia (Bahrain Grand Prix replacement), and Singapore.
The turnaround was a result of multiple upgrades, including one before the Miami Grand Prix, another in Austria, and a final major one ahead of Azerbaijan. Verstappen expressed his happiness privately, stating that he values the time he spends with his family and friends. He also signed an extension with Red Bull until 2030, despite Red Bull trailing Mercedes by 246 points in the constructors' championship.
Verstappen remains optimistic about the remaining six races, hoping to learn about the car and have some fun out there, with the possibility of a new race added in Europe before the final races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
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