Photo by Jayce Illman/Getty Images

Why Max Verstappen keeps winning despite Red Bull’s F1 doubts

Originally posted on HITC | By Shay Rogers | Last updated Jan 25, 2026 1:53 PM ET

As the 2026 Formula 1 season gets underway, Max Verstappen finds himself in unfamiliar territory. For the first time in years, there are real questions about whether he’ll be in a position to fight for another championship.

The Dutch driver has been the face of Red Bull Racing for nearly a decade, becoming one of the most recognisable figures in the sport during his time with the team.

He’s been such a fixture at the sharp end of the grid that it’s hard to picture him staying put if Red Bull can’t provide a competitive car this time around. Even after so many successful seasons together, Verstappen can’t afford to sit through a full year without a realistic title shot.

Red Bull are focused on their new engine project, but Verstappen needs results sooner rather than later. At 28, he can’t afford to lose too much time waiting for things to come together.

That uncertainty is already affecting how Red Bull approach things. Speaking on Sky Sports F1 during winter testing, David Croft suggested they may not tailor development around Verstappen if there’s doubt about his long-term commitment:

Alex Palou shares thoughts on Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s 2026 F1 season

Photo by Ahmad AlShehab/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Verstappen is feeling the pressure from the 2026 regulations and is cautious about potential big gaps between teams at the start of the season.

This kind of thing happens whenever new rules are introduced. The gap between first and last in Q1, which is usually around 1.5 seconds, could easily double or even triple.

Verstappen showed in 2025 that even without the fastest car, he could still put himself into the mix.

This is why Alex Palou doesn’t think Red Bull builds their cars specifically for Verstappen. He just knows how to get results out of any situation.

“Obviously, every driver is different, and a car that suits you might not suit me,” Palou told SoyMotor. “But I think what happens is that he’s able to get more out of any car.

“So he wins with cars that seem, well, he wins with cars that shouldn’t win, and the other driver is just doing what the car should be doing. But I don’t think the cars are suited to his style.”

How Red Bull can use Max Verstappen’s 2025 efforts to get faster in 2026

With engine rumours swirling and the pace of upgrades set to play a bigger role, teams willing to take more risks might be the ones who find the most gains.

Red Bull have shown they’re not afraid to push development longer than most, as they did in 2025. It’s an area where they’ve often made good use of their resources.

If Red Bull don’t hit the ground running, that ability to improve on the fly could make a difference later in the season. Their approach might end up being one of their strengths if things start off slower than usual.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: