Max Verstappen has provided insight into his father Jos’s perspective on Red Bull’s difficult beginning to the 2026 Formula 1 season. Verstappen stated that the early months of the campaign were as tough for his father to witness as they were for him to drive the RB22 car.
The four-time world champion elaborated on their close bond, forged over years of pursuing a shared objective in Formula 1. He confirmed that their relationship allows for a deep mutual understanding.
Verstappen explained that the entire family remains significantly invested in his racing career. He noted that Jos, while not attending every race, is consistently present in the background.
When Jos is at a Grand Prix, they engage in extensive discussions about all aspects of the sport, as Jos possesses comprehensive knowledge.
‘We’re all very much invested in it. And, of course, my relationship with my dad, we really understand each other well from all the years that we have spent together working towards our goal in Formula 1.’
These recent comments followed Verstappen’s first victory of the 2026 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on October 4, 2026. This win marked a significant turnaround for Red Bull-Ford Powertrains after early season struggles.
The initial rounds of the 2026 season saw Red Bull’s car plagued by issues including entry instability, mid-corner understeer, and a downforce deficit. Verstappen described the car as ‘not nice to drive’ during this period.
Red Bull responded with mechanical adjustments before the summer break, followed by aerodynamic updates in Miami and Austria. A major development package in Baku addressed remaining speed deficits.
Earlier in the year, in March 2026, Jos Verstappen had voiced concerns about his son’s motivation. He feared Max might lose interest due to the new 2026 regulations, which Max had publicly criticised as a ‘joke’.
Jos suggested that the new cars did not challenge Max, expressing pessimism about his son’s long-term engagement with Formula 1 under such conditions.
Despite these early season difficulties, Max Verstappen secured pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix on October 10, 2026. This marked his 50th career pole position and his first at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Verstappen’s qualifying lap of 1m 31.373s placed him ahead of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, both driving for Ferrari. He had also won the sprint race earlier in the Singapore Grand Prix weekend.
