Verstappen Confronts Winless Season Reality Ahead of Madrid Grand Prix Debut
Max Verstappen faces the distinct possibility of completing a Formula 1 season without a victory for the first time since his 2015 debut campaign. The four-time world champion addressed the scenario during the Dutch media session at Monza, offering a candid assessment of Red Bull’s current competitiveness.
“I’m obviously never going to say that out loud!”
Verstappen’s refusal to voice the possibility contrasts with his approach in 2023, when a similar admission preceded a dominant second-half run that saw him finish on the podium at every remaining round and narrowly miss a fifth consecutive title. The Dutchman acknowledges the current situation differs fundamentally.
“Every time I’m in the car, I always go for the maximum. If the opportunity comes to win a race, then of course I’ll go all out for it. But with how things stand at the moment, that chance isn’t very big.”
Driver Skill vs. Machinery at the Madring
The inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the IFEMA complex—dubbed the Madring—has sparked discussion about circuits where driver talent can outweigh car performance. Verstappen dismissed the narrative that a demanding layout alone can close the gap to faster rivals.
“I mean, you can make the story as beautiful as you want, right? Driver’s track or not, at the end of the day you still need a fast car in Formula 1.”
He extended the point to his season overall, insisting his personal form remains high despite the results.
“As a driver, I feel good this year, but I’m not winning races. Does that mean I’m a bad driver or not quick enough? I don’t think so. It’s not that suddenly because this is more of a driver’s track than Monza or whatever, you can do a lot better.”
Madring Safety Concerns Draw Jeddah Comparisons
Pre-event focus has centered on the circuit’s safety profile after an F3 test produced 19 red flags. Williams team principal James Vowles labeled the venue “a car killer.” Verstappen, asked by Motorsport.com about the danger level, drew a direct parallel to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
“Well, it could be. In some places, when you have a tiny moment, it can result in a crash. But I mean, Jeddah is the same and we’ve spoken about that already before. You just have to deal with it and try to figure out the margins, to try and keep it under control. But of course, when you’re on the limit, it’s easy to make a little mistake.”
He reinforced the comparison on driving sensation.
“In terms of what I feel, yes. Of course, there are quite a lot more lower speed corners here, but the sensation I get is a little bit like that, yeah.”
Lawson Echoes Blind-Corner Warning
Red Bull stand-in Liam Lawson supported the Jeddah analogy, highlighting the prevalence of blind corners where walls run flush to the racing line.
“The way these street circuits are built, the walls just sort of follow where the track goes and they’re just very blind in a lot of places. There are a lot of faster flowing corners where you have something behind it and you can’t see it. Jeddah obviously has more of that than this place, but it’s sort of similar in that way, I would say.”
Lawson identified the Turn 5-6 chicane as a particular hazard.
“If you take too much of the first kerb, it’ll bounce you across the second kerb, which will then bounce you into the wall. Trying to be accurate through a section like that is quite tough. I’ve seen a lot of videos of F3 cars just smashing both the kerbs and getting away with it, or not getting away with it, so it’s definitely a tricky part of the track. The braking zone is obviously not straight as well, so trying not to lock and push that braking zone is going to be pretty tough.”
Power-Unit Limitations Expected to Restrict Flat-Out Running
Looking ahead to the 2026 regulations, Lawson does not anticipate Monaco-style unrestricted pushing at the Madring.
“Not like Monaco, no. I think Monaco is one where we can push flat out and actually have no limitations. I would say this is not going to be like that, but I think it definitely is somewhere that, more so than in Monza, you can probably make a bit of a difference.”
