Max Verstappen may seem as a longshot to win the 2026 Components One drivers’ championship as he sits 98 factors behind present chief Kimi Antonelli, but his second place end on the Austrian Grand Prix supplied contemporary encouragement that Crimson Bull have lastly given him a automotive that may problem Mercedes.
Whereas Verstappen nonetheless has important floor to make up within the drivers’ standings, there are many causes to imagine his title problem is just not over. Mercedes’ largest power may change into a weak spot, whereas Ferrari and McLaren are each able to taking factors away from the Silver Arrows this season.
Commercial
Listed here are 5 the explanation why Verstappen shouldn’t be dominated out of profitable what could be his fifth drivers’ championship in 2026.
Antonelli and Russell will proceed to take factors off one another
Kimi Antonelli and George Russell will proceed to take factors away from one another. Picture: Race Footage
Kimi Antonelli and George Russell will proceed to take factors away from one another. Picture: Race Footage
Mercedes could have the quickest automotive on the grid, however having two drivers able to profitable races also can change into a drawback in a championship battle. With George Russell and Kimi Antonelli usually combating for victories, the pair are more likely to proceed taking factors from each other. Verstappen, against this, stays Crimson Bull’s undisputed primary and is unlikely to lose factors to a teammate if he has a automotive able to profitable races.
Commercial
It was an analogous story in 2025 the place champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri took factors off one another all through the season. Verstappen completed simply two factors behind Norris, but when Piastri had completed forward of his teammate in only one extra race in 2025, the Dutchman possible would have been topped champion.
Mercedes’ reliability has already proven indicators of vulnerability
Reliability has already performed an enormous half within the 2026 Components One season, with Verstappen retiring from each the Chinese language and Monaco Grand Prix with technical points. Nevertheless, Mercedes have additionally had their points with Russell retiring from the Canadian Grand Prix and Antonelli struggling a late DNF within the Barcelona Grand Prix.
Mercedes imagine they’ve , however ought to these points proceed over the second half of the yr, Verstappen is among the drivers who may capitalise, notably if Crimson Bull keep its upward trajectory and in addition keep away from extra technical problems with their very own.
Commercial
Ferrari and McLaren can play a decisive function
Lewis Hamilton beat Mercedes in Barcelona whereas McLaren have additionally challenged for victories. Picture: Race Footage
Lewis Hamilton beat Mercedes in Barcelona whereas McLaren have additionally challenged for victories. Picture: Race Footage
Even when Mercedes stays the benchmark, Ferrari and McLaren have proven they’re greater than able to taking factors away from Russell and Antonelli. Hamilton could have his personal hopes that he can get entangled within the title battle after beating Mercedes honest and sq. in Barcelona.
In the meantime, Charles Leclerc fought for victory in Australia, Oscar Piastri may have received in Japan and Lando Norris additionally had an opportunity of ending on the highest step in Miami. Ought to any of the 4 drivers in these groups end forward of a Mercedes driver, it may assist Verstappen chip away on the deficit with out essentially needing to win each race himself.
Commercial
Austria recommended Crimson Bull is shifting in the best course
Verstappen’s efficiency in Austria was arguably Crimson Bull’s most encouraging of the season and on one other day he may have completed on the highest step. He was capable of match Mercedes for giant components of the race and secured second place after .
The Dutchman closed the hole to Russell through the second stint however the Mercedes crew had been fast to tug an undercut, pitting Russell first with 28 laps remaining. Crimson Bull opted to increase and Verstappen would come out 11 seconds behind his rival. From Lap 62 onwards, the Dutchman accomplished solely a single lap slower than 1:11.3 and constantly matched comparable occasions all through the stint, ending simply 1.6 seconds behind Russell.
Crimson Bull’s upgrades in Austria appeared to work and can give Verstappen confidence that he can win races in 2026, so long as they nail their technique not like in Spielberg.
Commercial
Verstappen has come again from worse earlier than
Verstappen’s 98 level hole to Antonelli with 14 races remaining may appear an enormous hill to beat notably with Mercedes profitable all however one of many races to date this season. Nevertheless, Verstappen has already proven he can get better from a sizeable championship deficit.
Final season, Verstappen discovered himself with even fewer races remaining and nonetheless mounted a critical title problem earlier than in the end falling simply quick. After the Dutch Grand Prix, which was Spherical 15 of 24, Verstappen discovered himself 104 factors off the championship lead. He in the end completed simply two factors behind Norris after profitable six of the ultimate 9 races.
With loads of races nonetheless to return in 2026, the Dutchman is aware of higher than most {that a} championship can change dramatically in a matter of weekends.
