Helmut Marko has declared Max Verstappen's bid for a fourth consecutive Formula 1 title "impossible" following his disappointing ninth-place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix. This result significantly widens the points gap to championship leader Oscar Piastri as the season heads into the summer break.
Why it matters
Marko's blunt assessment from Red Bull, a team known for its unwavering confidence, highlights the severe challenge facing Verstappen. After dominating for three seasons, his current form and the team's strategic focus on the upcoming 2026 regulations cast serious doubt on his ability to mount a comeback.
The big picture
- Points deficit: Verstappen's P9 finish yielded only two points, pushing his season total to 187. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri's second-place finish in Hungary netted him 18 points, extending his lead over Verstappen by 16 points in that race alone.
- Championship standings: Heading into the summer break, Verstappen now trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by a substantial 97 points. He is also 88 points behind second-placed Lando Norris.
- Remaining points: With 274 points still available in the season starting from Zandvoort, Verstappen has a theoretical 177 points cushion before being mathematically eliminated from contention.
- Recent form: Verstappen has only secured two race victories this season and just one podium finish (second in Canada) in the last seven races, a stark contrast to his previous dominant runs.
- Team strategy: Red Bull is unlikely to introduce significant upgrades to the current RB22 car. The team's resources are reportedly being heavily focused on developing the car for the radical new technical regulations arriving in 2026, making a major mid-season turnaround for the current car improbable.
What's next
Verstappen faces an uphill battle to close a nearly 100-point gap. With Red Bull's focus shifting towards 2026 development, his reign as champion appears to be nearing its end, barring an extraordinary turnaround in the second half of the season.