Verstappen says he will quit if he stops believing he is best

Max Verstappen says he has always believed he is the best driver on the Formula 1 grid, and that the day he no longer thinks so, he will quit. The Dutchman, who made his F1 debut in 2015 aged 17 years and 166 days, has won four world titles and 74 Grands Prix.

Verstappen cannot win the 2026 title, which went to Kimi Antonelli at the Mexican Grand Prix, but three more races remain and he sits second in the Drivers' standings. He said Red Bull's recent form, including three race wins in a run of eight podiums, has been a key factor, and he is already being tipped as a contender for next year.

Verstappen also said he is confident in Red Bull and its new Red Bull Powertrains power unit, as the team recovers from a difficult start to the new technical era. He described finishing second as a surprise but said the team would take it.