Verstappen says he would stop if he lost belief in being best

Max Verstappen has said he would walk away from Formula 1 if he ever stopped believing he is the best driver in the field. Speaking before the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the four-time world champion said he still holds that view, adding: "Otherwise, I'd stop!" He said the belief dates back to his debut with Toro Rosso in 2015, aged 17, when he knew he still had a lot to learn but felt he had the potential to be the best.

Verstappen described 2026 as an odd year for him. Red Bull's first season with its own power units, built with Ford, started well off the pace, and he did not win a race until the Bahrain Grand Prix in October, which was moved to Sepang. He has since won in Singapore and Mexico and is second in the standings, 17 points ahead of George Russell. He said dependence on the car remains a factor, but that things have recently been reasonably well sorted.

At Interlagos he started 21st after an engine penalty and climbed to second behind Lando Norris. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies said no simulation could have predicted the drive, adding that Verstappen was "beating the sim on a regular basis". Verstappen has three races left to hold second place in the championship.