Max Verstappen concedes that it may not be potential for him to win one other grand prix this season, however he needs to see Purple Bull displaying larger consistency forward of 2026.
The defending champion has slipped 97 factors behind championship chief Oscar Piastri after a run of 4 races with no podium – albeit with a Dash win in Belgium – and took simply two grand prix victories within the first a part of the 12 months. Whereas acknowledging he’s not within the title combat this 12 months, Verstappen believes there are nonetheless necessary classes to be taught ovefr the rest of the season, and pointed to bettering the automobile’s predictability as a key goal after the summer time break.
“We at all times desire a first rate end,” Verstappen mentioned. “After all, the main target for everybody is already lots on to 2026. However what we have to try to obtain is extra constant behaviors and outcomes on the finish of the day.
“I do not know [if wins are possible]. After a weekend like [Hungary], it’s totally troublesome to say. However you by no means know. There may at all times be surprises or no matter.”
Verstappen can be pragmatic about Purple Bull’s struggles, saying it was inevitable his run of 4 consecutive championships would come to an finish at some stage.
“I simply keep impartial (about) all the pieces. So I do not develop into overly optimistic or pessimistic or no matter,” he mentioned. “[Ahead of 2025] I used to be like: ‘Effectively, we’ll see’. I hope, in fact, that we will nonetheless win some races right here and there. And we nonetheless did that. We nonetheless received two races. However, yeah, it’s robust.
“However then again, you additionally must acknowledge that McLaren has accomplished a unbelievable job from final 12 months to this 12 months, too. And from our aspect, it has been a bit harder.
“[The recent form] just isn’t a shock, in fact, in case you take a look at the issues that we’re having. On the different finish, for 4 years, I’ve had actually numerous good outcomes. So it comes and goes, success.”
One huge current change got here within the type of Laurent Mekies changing Christian Horner as Purple Bull workforce principal. Verstappen believes Mekies has made a optimistic begin in his new position.
“He is very open-minded,” he mentioned. “After all, it should solely get higher and higher – the communication that we now have – however it’s been going very well.”
