That said, Max Verstappen remains entirely unshaken in his self-belief. As Crash.net reports, the four-time world champion has made it clear that he still considers himself the absolute benchmark in Formula 1, despite missing out on the world championship for the second consecutive season.
Now, the 2026 campaign with Red Bull has been far from straightforward. The Dutchman endured a difficult start to the year, struggling to consistently fight at the sharp end of the grid. But things have turned around. An upturn in the team's competitiveness has allowed him to secure three victories across the last five races.
Even as Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli claimed the last two world championships, Verstappen's confidence in his own machinery and racecraft never wavered. When asked ahead of the Brazil Grand Prix if he still views himself as the top driver on the grid, his answer was absolute: "I always think so. Otherwise, I'd quit."
That mindset goes all the way back to his debut season in 2015, when he stepped into Formula 1 with Toro Rosso at just 17 years old. Reflecting on his early days, he noted that while he knew he had plenty to learn back then, he always carried the belief that he possessed the potential to be the best. Despite another title staying out of reach this year, the 29-year-old feels his overall season has been strong, acknowledging the harsh reality that success in this sport always depends on having the car underneath you.
Red Bull's recent steps forward have proven just how vital competitive machinery is. With things reasonably well sorted again, the victories have started flowing. That raw speed was on full display during Sunday's Brazil Grand Prix at Interlagos, where Verstappen produced a stunning recovery drive from 21st on the grid to finish second.
That remarkable comeback capped off a strong weekend for the team's ongoing resurgence, even if the broader championship picture was already settled. By the time the chequered flag waved in Brazil, Antonelli had already secured the drivers' championship, while Mercedes successfully wrapped up the constructors' title.
F1
F1
