Former Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger has recently commented on Max Verstappen’s exceptional talent, urging patience with Red Bull Racing’s current performance in the 2026 season. Berger, a ten-time Grand Prix winner, believes Verstappen should remain with the team despite ongoing reliability issues.
Berger’s assessment comes as Red Bull Racing navigates the challenges of introducing their new in-house Red Bull Ford Powertrains DM01 engine this year. The former Ferrari driver expressed confidence in Verstappen’s driving ability, noting his capacity to perform at a high level even when the car faces difficulties.
Red Bull has encountered several reliability setbacks during the current season, particularly concerning their ‘Macarena’ rear wing. Verstappen himself described the wing as ‘super dangerous’ following incidents at circuits such as Spielberg and Silverstone.
Currently, Max Verstappen holds sixth position in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship standings, accumulating 109 points after 11 rounds. He has secured four podium finishes but is yet to claim a Grand Prix victory this season.
The Constructors’ Championship sees Red Bull Racing in fourth place, trailing Mercedes by 202 points. This position reflects the team’s struggles with the new power unit and chassis development.
Berger predicts that Red Bull Racing will regain its competitive edge within the next six to twelve months. He pointed to the team’s ambitious engine project and the anticipated operational status of a new wind tunnel by 2027 as key factors for future improvement.
Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull Racing until the conclusion of the 2028 season, providing stability for the team’s long-term development plans.
The 2026 Drivers’ Championship is currently led by Kimi Antonelli, who has amassed 219 points.
