Max Verstappen remained without a podium for the first time in seven years in Hungary on Sunday for the fourth Grand Prix in a row. For the Dutchman and his team Red Bull, it threatens to be a long second half of the season.
On Saturday after qualifying, it was already clear that Verstappen is reasonably done with this season. In conversation with a handful of Dutch journalists, he made a resigned impression.
“It doesn’t hurt much, because I’m not participating in anything anymore anyway,” said the four-time world champion after his eighth time in qualifying. “Can I still win a race in normal circumstances this year? No, I don’t see that happening.”
A day later, Verstappen experienced his most painful race of the year. He finished ninth. He couldn’t get past the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto and the Racing Bulls of Liam Lawson.
Verstappen saw few bright spots after the race at the Hungaroring. Of course, he said, he will always continue to do his best. But there is little more to win this season. Verstappen was not angry or upset, he fully acquiesced in his situation.
Verstappen was ranting in Hungary last year
How different it was a year ago when Verstappen finished fifth in Hungary after a hectic Grand Prix. It was the Grand Prix in which he already clashed with his chief engineer Gianpiero Lambiase during the race.
Also when speaking to journalists afterwards, steam was still coming out of his ears. Which is understandable, as there was still a title at stake at the time. That is definitely not the case this year, although Verstappen has long since resigned himself to that.
Although he would have preferred to see it differently, the season is far from over for Verstappen and his colleagues. After the summer break, there are still ten Grands Prix to go. Ten races in which Verstappen will probably have to settle for a supporting role. “Of course I hope that we can finish the year in a good way,” said Verstappen.
“But just like everyone else, our focus is already on 2026. It would be nice if the car would behave a bit more predictably. I will always try to get the most out of every race.”
Verstappen started the season without expectations
Verstappen also used his international press talk to look back on the first half of the season when asked. He entered the season without any particular expectations, as he says he always does. “I’m never too optimistic or too pessimistic,” said Verstappen.
“I hoped before the season that I could win a race from time to time. That worked, we won two Grands Prix. It is what it is. We must also recognize that McLaren has done an excellent job.”
There are some more positive sounds from Red Bull. Both top executive Helmut Marko and the new team boss Laurent Mekies have the idea that it will not be as bad this year as it was at the Hungaroring. Because that circuit is simply the worst for the Red Bull.
Unlike Verstappen, Mekies thinks that his first driver can still win races this year. “Spa is proof of that. There Max succeeded in winning the sprint race. With some luck, such a scenario is conceivable again. But I understand that he is frustrated after such a weekend.”
No crisis at Red Bull, but resignation
Incidentally, there is no crisis at Red Bull. Team boss Christian Horner was fired a month ago. Verstappen confirmed on Thursday that he will also drive for Red Bull next year.
This removed the sharp edges within the Austrian team. No one expects Mekies to be able to make the Red Bull excel on the asphalt within a few races. At the same time, Verstappen will not miss any opportunity to take a podium or victory, as soon as he unexpectedly gets a chance.
Meanwhile, Red Bull can calmly build towards 2026. It will take some getting used to the next ten races. Verstappen as an extra in a script of which he wrote the scenario in recent years. Verstappen: “We have been winning for years, now it is going less well. It is what it is. That is also part of this sport.”