Max Verstappen has expressed his surprise at holding second place in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship standings, considering the challenging start his team, Oracle Red Bull Racing, faced earlier in the season. Despite initial difficulties, Verstappen’s position reflects a notable recovery as the season has progressed.
Red Bull struggled to find consistent form at the beginning of the year, with Verstappen only reaching the podium after five rounds and securing his next victory after 16 races. Since the break before the Austrian Grand Prix, the team’s development efforts and Verstappen’s steady performances have contributed to a climb up the standings, placing him narrowly ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
The Dutch driver acknowledged the significant turnaround achieved by the team, praising their persistence and the upgrades that improved the car’s competitiveness. However, Verstappen also pointed out that some issues remain, particularly with radio communication and downshift operations, although these areas have seen gradual improvements through ongoing fine-tuning.
Alongside Verstappen’s rise in the drivers’ rankings, Red Bull has also moved back up to third place in the teams’ championship. Verstappen emphasized that despite the early setbacks, the team has not settled for less and continues to push for better results as the season unfolds.
His reflections highlight the challenges faced by a leading team adapting to a difficult start, as well as the importance of resilience and continuous development in Formula 1®. Verstappen’s surprise at his current standing underlines how unpredictable the season has been for Red Bull, even as they work to regain their usual pace.
This assessment offers a clear view of the current competitive situation for Verstappen and Oracle Red Bull Racing, focusing on factual developments and ongoing efforts without speculation about future outcomes.