MEXICO CITY — For a while, Max Verstappen’s 2026 Formula 1 season looked like one he would simply have to endure.
The four-time world champion was no longer controlling races. Red Bull was struggling to match its rivals consistently, early setbacks piled up and the championship picture began moving in a direction that seemed to leave Verstappen behind.
Fast-forward to November, and the story has changed dramatically.
Verstappen won the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday, collecting his sixth victory at the circuit and moving into second place in the Drivers’ Championship. He has now won three of the last four Grands Prix, producing one of the most impressive second-half surges of the season.
The championship itself is already decided. Kimi Antonelli secured his first world title in Mexico. But that has not stopped Verstappen from making a statement of his own.
The Dutchman has reminded the paddock that counting him out is a dangerous game.
Verstappen Has Completely Changed the Story of His Season
There was a point when Verstappen’s championship hopes appeared to be slipping away.
The early portion of the campaign featured retirements, disappointing finishes and weekends when Red Bull simply did not have the pace to consistently challenge Mercedes and Ferrari.
His season-opening results included a sixth-place finish in Australia, an eighth-place finish in Japan and retirements in China and Monaco. A retirement in Great Britain added to the frustration.
For a driver accustomed to fighting for victories and championships, that was a difficult stretch.
But Verstappen never stopped delivering when the opportunity appeared.
He began building momentum with podiums in Canada, Belgium and Spain. A second-place finish in Hungary followed, before his campaign truly caught fire during the later races.
Victories in Bahrain and Singapore changed the tone. A strong run through the United States and Mexico then made the comeback impossible to ignore.
Verstappen is no longer simply trying to salvage his season. He is finishing it like a championship contender.
Mexico Was Another Reminder of What Makes Verstappen Special
Starting fifth at the Autódromo Hermanos RodrÃguez, Verstappen immediately went to work.
His opening lap was outstanding. He climbed into second by Lap 2 and put himself in position to challenge for the lead.
From there, the Red Bull driver managed the race brilliantly.
He benefited from Charles Leclerc’s five-second penalty, but Verstappen still had to execute the strategy and control the race. He ultimately held off Lewis Hamilton to secure the victory.
It was his sixth Mexican Grand Prix win, extending his record at the circuit.
The victory also moved him into second place in the championship with 261 points, ahead of Hamilton on 259. Antonelli remains comfortably in front with 380 points.
There was no championship trophy waiting for Verstappen in Mexico. There was, however, another opportunity to demonstrate why he remains one of the most formidable drivers in the world.
He took it.
Red Bull Needed Its Superstar, and Verstappen Delivered
Red Bull’s 2026 campaign has not been the smooth operation fans became accustomed to during Verstappen’s championship years.
The team has faced a challenging competitive landscape, with Mercedes and Ferrari producing strong results. Red Bull currently sits third in the Constructors’ Championship.
That makes Verstappen’s individual performance even more impressive.
He has continued to extract results while the team works to improve its overall competitiveness. His ability to maximize opportunities has been essential to Red Bull’s position in the standings.
There is a reason Verstappen has won four consecutive world championships in the past. His combination of qualifying speed, race management, aggression and precision makes him exceptionally difficult to beat when the car is competitive.
The second half of 2026 has offered another demonstration.
The Championship Is Decided, but Verstappen Still Has Plenty to Prove
Antonelli deserves enormous credit for securing the championship at just 20 years old. His title is historic, and Mercedes has every reason to celebrate.
But Verstappen’s late-season surge has created a compelling subplot for the remaining races.
He has climbed to second, passed Hamilton in the standings and given Red Bull something meaningful to celebrate after a difficult opening stretch.
Three victories in four races are not the numbers of a driver who has checked out for the season.
The remaining rounds provide Verstappen with an opportunity to keep building momentum before the next championship campaign. Every victory reinforces the same message: when he has a competitive car, he remains a serious threat.
Formula 1 has seen plenty of champions enjoy dominant stretches. What makes Verstappen different is how quickly he can turn a difficult weekend into a winning one.
Earlier this year, 2026 looked like a season to forget for the Dutchman.
Now, he has climbed to second in the championship, won three of the last four races and reminded everyone why he belongs among the sport’s all-time greats.
Never count Max Verstappen out.