Former Formula 1 driver Stefan Johansson believes Max Verstappen is experiencing a fundamental reality of the sport: world titles require the fastest car.
Verstappen’s 2026 campaign with Red Bull has proven challenging.
Through the opening 11 races, the four-time world champion has secured four podiums and 109 points, but a race victory remains elusive.
The Dutchman has openly expressed concern regarding Red Bull’s RB22.
As the team transitions into an in-house power unit manufacturer under the new engine regulations, reliability problems have surfaced. This includes power unit and rear-wing failures.
Red Bull currently possesses the fourth-fastest car on the grid behind Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren, making it the only top-four constructor yet to stand on the top step of the podium this year.
However, development progress is evident.
The team has trimmed its gap to pace-setters Mercedes from over a second down to a few tenths.
“I can understand the frustration,” Johansson told the F1 website. “If you don’t have the car, you’re not going to win.
“There’s never been a World Champion that didn’t have the best car. That’s the reality of it. He’s still creating miracles most of the time, and he’s still unbelievably good, obviously.”
Verstappen has taken at least one victory in every season following his 2015 rookie debut with Toro Rosso.
A similar mid-season win drought occurred in 2017, which he eventually broke at Sepang—a circuit returning to the calendar this year to host the Bahrain Grand Prix—before winning in Mexico.
Red Bull also holds a winning streak stretching back to 2016. It was aided last year by a significant floor update introduced at Monza.
While Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull through 2028, exit clauses allow him to depart at the end of the current season.
“I’m sure there’s no shortage of options [for him]!” Johansson added. “I think every team would give their right arm to have him in the car.”
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