‘I’m Getting Close’ – Verstappen Determined To Win ‘At Least One’ Race In 2026

Following a succession of podium finishes, Max Verstappen is aiming to return to the top step of the rostrum before the 2026 season draws to a close.

The Dutch driver has clearly outlined his objective to "at least win one race this year," taking encouragement from recent strong results that suggest he is closing in on that goal.

Red Bull currently occupy fourth position in the Constructors' Standings, having endured a more challenging opening phase to the campaign than their front-running competitors. However, the Milton Keynes squad have demonstrated clear progress over recent events, highlighted by a double podium finish (P2 and P3) for Verstappen and team-mate Isack Hadjar in Azerbaijan.

On that occasion, Verstappen narrowly missed out on his first victory of the campaign, taking the chequered flag less than two tenths behind race winner George Russell.

Speaking to the media ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia—where it was noted that he alone has outscored both Ferrari and McLaren over the past three rounds—the four-time World Champion reaffirmed his desire to win while acknowledging the work still required.

"Unfortunately, we aren't outscoring Mercedes," Verstappen explained. "They remain the benchmark for pace, as they have been for most of the season. But I'm pushing as hard as possible. We are picking up regular podiums now, but my ultimate goal is victory.

"That's why I'm here, and I feel I'm getting closer. I really want to secure at least one win this year, and I hope we can achieve that at some point. The baseline results are solid. The new components we introduced in Baku performed well, though we must consider that Baku has historically suited our package with its distinctive 90-degree corners and lack of high-speed sections."

Verstappen acknowledged that the concluding rounds of the 2026 campaign will serve as valuable preparation for the team's upcoming season.

"We have to evaluate how our chassis performs across the upcoming circuits, which provides an excellent learning opportunity for next year," he added. "We will gather vital data regarding our developmental direction. Since we are not in the championship fight, this phase represents a steep learning curve—though our recent form is undeniably stronger than where we began the year."

When pressed on whether shifting focus toward 2027 is now Red Bull's primary motivation—especially given Mercedes' planned upgrade package for the Bahrain Grand Prix—Verstappen remained pragmatic:

"Yes, that’s likely the case. Typically, introducing an upgrade yields additional lap time, so given their baseline pace, catching them will be a tough task. But ultimately, it doesn't change our approach. We will maximize our performance every single weekend and see where we end up."

Verstappen stands as the most recent winner at the Sepang International Circuit, having claimed victory during its previous F1 appearance in 2017.

"I’ve always enjoyed racing here because I really appreciate the track layout," the 29-year-old reflected. "It was never straightforward—high tyre degradation and extreme heat made it physically demanding and uncomfortable to drive—but I hold great memories from this venue."