Verstappen surprised to be second after Red Bull’s turnaround

Max Verstappen says he did not expect to be second in the 2026 drivers’ championship after winning three of the past four races. He points to Red Bull’s early struggles and the learning that followed to explain the team’s rise.

At the start of the season, Verstappen said, the car was not doing what the team wanted and Red Bull still had a lot to learn about its engine. The team was racing with a power unit it had built itself for the first time. He says Red Bull learned a great deal as the season progressed and that the car has recently become much more competitive.

His own approach, he said, did not change when he was running sixth or seventh or fighting in the midfield: he kept trying to get the most from the situation. With the car in a better operating window, Red Bull can fight further forward and win races, he said, taking points from its rivals.

Verstappen praised Red Bull for continuing to seek improvements and understand its problems. He is pleased the team has made such a major turnaround within one season.