Jeroen Bleekemolen maintains that Max Verstappen can still secure a Formula 1 race victory during the current 2026 season. This assessment comes despite Red Bull Racing’s ongoing performance challenges and Verstappen’s current standing in the Drivers’ Championship.
Verstappen currently holds sixth position in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship with 145 points. He has yet to claim a race win this season.
Red Bull Racing is positioned fourth in the Constructors’ standings. The team’s RB22 car has exhibited issues with rear-end stability and low-speed traction.
Verstappen has also noted car degradation as a consistent problem for the RB22 during race sessions. He has stated that strong execution has been necessary to mask the car’s performance deficit.
Bleekemolen suggests that a strong qualifying performance, particularly an exceptional effort in Q3, could be pivotal for Verstappen to achieve a victory. He believes Verstappen does not require the fastest car throughout an entire race weekend to contend for a win.
The 2026 season introduced new power unit regulations, with Red Bull Ford Powertrains developing the new hybrid unit in collaboration with Ford. This marks Ford’s return to Formula 1.
Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Team Principal and CEO, has acknowledged the significant challenge involved in developing their own power units. Verstappen himself has expressed frustration with the 2026 regulations, describing them as ‘Formula E on steroids’.
Despite the current performance landscape, Verstappen extended his contract with Red Bull until 2030. Bleekemolen previously stated that Verstappen has maximised his personal performance given the car’s capabilities.
