Red Bull Matches Mercedes Pace as Verstappen Ends Winless Streak

Max Verstappen's dominant victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix has signaled a major shift in the 2026 competitive landscape. Oscar Piastri believes Red Bull has now successfully elevated its performance to match that of the championship-leading Mercedes, ending a period of relative struggle for the Milton Keynes-based squad.

Why it matters:

For much of the 2026 season, Mercedes has been the undisputed benchmark, with Kimi Antonelli leading the championship standings. Red Bull's sudden resurgence on high-speed circuits suggests they have found a technical breakthrough that could disrupt the title race in its final stages, turning a two-horse race into a more volatile battle for supremacy.

The details:

• Dominance in Malaysia: Verstappen converted pole position into a comfortable win at Sepang, demonstrating raw pace on the circuit's long straights.
• Azerbaijan Performance: Despite a battery charging failure in Q3 that limited his starting position, Verstappen finished just 0.196 seconds behind George Russell, proving the car's inherent speed.
• Competitive Shift: Piastri noted that while McLaren and Ferrari have fluctuated in performance, Mercedes remained the class of the field until Red Bull's recent leap in pace.

The big picture:

While Red Bull ascends, McLaren is facing a concerning dip in form. The team has managed only 10 points across the last two rounds, with Lando Norris struggling for results. This decline is primarily linked to a lack of efficiency in slow-speed corners and a general struggle with street circuit characteristics, leaving the Woking-based team vulnerable as the calendar moves toward more technical layouts.

What's next:

Attention now shifts to the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore. Piastri remains cautious about McLaren's prospects given their historical struggle with slow corners this year. However, the sprint weekend format may provide an opportunity for the team to find an unconventional edge and recover some lost ground.