As Max Verstappen fleets to the top every single race, a 42-year-old ex-Championship runner-up says there are no plans of him stopping. Verstappen fought a season-long battle, trying to beat Lewis Hamilton, and succeeded in doing so in 2021. After his unforeseen victory and stopping Hamilton from his 8th title, he became a World Champion.
Until now Max Verstappen has not stopped at anything. After winning against Lewis Hamilton, he went on to win 15 races in a single season, beating the record for most race wins in a season. After which he cruised home with his second World Championship title. In this two-season-long journey, he has also broken multiple records from over 11 years to 70 years.
However, in his 2023 season, Max Verstappen has won the first 10 of the 12 races of the season so far. Although his teammate won two races, he still leads the Championship Standings by 125 points. But with the new changes in the engine which will be implemented in 2026, Verstappen could lose his throne with just a few championships to his name.
Nevertheless, the 2026 engine regulations will encourage the engines to not burn any fossil fuels in order to make the sport more sustainable. There will also be additional changes to the engine that can have an impact on the Red Bull cars.
Felipe Massa says Max Verstappen will dominate until 2026
With Verstappen on his way to winning yet another Championship this season, the ex-Sauber driver says the Championship is his until 2026. The Dutchman, who has left teams and drivers gapping and crying for a podium win, has all the Championships under his wing until 2026. Felipe Massa, who has also been a second runner-up to Lewis Hamilton, who became the World Champion.
Felipe Massa told the Spanish publications of MARCA, “I believe that until 2026, when we will have the regulation change, Verstappen will win everything.”
“I think we will have the same regulations [until 2026] and Verstappen is superior, Red Bull is superior — So, until 2026, we can expect Verstappen to win all the titles.”
Felipe Massa believes Verstappen will dominate until 2026:
“I believe that until 2026, when we will have the regulation change, Verstappen will win everything.”
“I think we will have the same regulations [until 2026] and Verstappen is superior, Red Bull is superior — So, until… pic.twitter.com/MaPySGMdA9
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) August 12, 2023
After the regulation changes in 2022, Ferrari was the first team to understand the requirements and started strong in the first rounds. However, it was not long after that Red Bull, the Austrian team, understood what had to be done. Soon Red Bull went on to achieve 13 consecutive wins and surpassed their 100 wins for the team.
This would be a newfound success for the Red Bull. Although they have won a few races here and there, they have watched Mercedes dominating while they watched them celebrate from below. With the summer break ending soon, the drivers will line up on the tracks again to fight for race wins.