Verstappen, sixth in standings and winless, says he wants at least one win in 2026
Ahead of the Malaysian round at Sepang, Max Verstappen said he wants to win at least one race this season. He is sixth in the championship after 15 rounds and has yet to win in 2026.
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The story, neutrally told
Max Verstappen said on Thursday 1 October that he wants to win "at least one race this year", as the four-times champion sits sixth in the standings after 15 rounds. CNAN “Max Verstappen said he wants to win "at least one race this year"” Read at CNA ↗ Gulf NewsN “I want to at least win one race this year. So, I hope we can do it at some point” Read at Gulf News ↗ He has not won this season. CNA reports seven podiums, including second places in Madrid and Baku. CNAN “coming close with second-place finishes in his last two outings in Madrid and Baku” Read at CNA ↗ Gulf News says he has not won since last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and could finish a season without a win for the first time since joining Red Bull. Gulf NewsN “he has not stood on the top step of the podium since last year’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix” Read at Gulf News ↗
The race is at Sepang in Malaysia, which is hosting Formula 1 for the first time in nine years. CNA says the Bahrain Grand Prix was moved there because of the conflict in the Middle East. CNAN “after the Bahrain Grand Prix was moved due to the conflict in the Middle East” Read at CNA ↗ Gulf NewsN “the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia” Read at Gulf News ↗ Verstappen said Mercedes have been the fast team this season. CNA says Mercedes lead both championships, and Gulf News names their driver Kimi Antonelli as the drivers' leader. CNAN “They're actually the fast ones, or at least they were for most of this season” Read at CNA ↗ Gulf NewsN “leader Kimi Antonelli’s points tally” Read at Gulf News ↗ He said the upgrades brought to Baku showed promise, but that the street circuit has suited Red Bull. He also warned that Sepang's heat and tyre wear could make it hard to win there. CNAN “the street circuit has historically suited Red Bull's characteristics” Read at CNA ↗ Gulf NewsN “there's always such high degradation” Read at Gulf News ↗
He said Red Bull are not fighting for the title and are using the remaining races to learn what the car needs for next year. CNAN “We're anyway not fighting for the championship, so for us, it's a big learning curve.” Read at CNA ↗ Gulf NewsN “what we need, what we want to do with the car for next year” Read at Gulf News ↗ CNA adds that it is undecided whether the final two rounds, in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, will go ahead. Verstappen said he trusts Formula 1 and the FIA to make the right decision. CNAN “I trust that F1 and the FIA will make the right decision” Read at CNA ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets report Verstappen's Thursday comments before the Sepang race. CNA gives a straight news account with the Qatar and Abu Dhabi uncertainty. Gulf News adds a commentary tone about a former dominant champion's drought.
- Emphasis
- CNA stresses the podium run, Mercedes' lead and the doubt over the final rounds. Gulf News stresses the winless streak, his 71 earlier wins and the Baku near-miss against George Russell.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Gulf News leaves out the doubt over the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds. CNA leaves out the 71 earlier wins, the length of the winless run and the Russell duel.
- Charged language
- “desperate”“humbling experience”“desperate charge”
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Verstappen said he wants to win at least one race in 2026.
- He is sixth in the standings, has not won this season, and has recently been on the podium.
- He said Sepang's heat and tyre degradation make it a demanding track.
- He said Red Bull are not fighting for the title and are using the remaining races to learn for next year.
Max Verstappen person
Verstappen says he wants a win and is getting close, accepts Mercedes are faster, treats the rest of the season as preparation for next year, and trusts F1 and the FIA on the final rounds.
“I want to win. That's what I'm here for and I'm getting close.” — CNA
“As long as I win one that would be nice.” — Gulf News
Red Bull Racing organisation
Red Bull are described as having outscored Ferrari and McLaren over the past three races, with Baku upgrades showing promise.
“Red Bull have outscored both Ferrari and McLaren over the past three races” — CNA
East and Southeast Asia1 outlet
CNA reports from Sepang and covers the venue change and the doubt over Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
“With no decision yet on whether the final two rounds will go ahead in Qatar and Abu Dhabi” — CNA
CNA
Middle East1 outlet
Gulf News focuses on Verstappen's winless season and calls the race the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
“is in danger of completing a season winless for the first time since he joined Red Bull 10 years ago” — Gulf News
Gulf News
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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CNAN ·
Red Bull's Verstappen eager for first win of the season
Neutral Straight report built on Verstappen's quotes, with context on the Sepang return and the uncertainty over the final rounds.
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Verstappen desperate to win at least one race
Mixed Frames the story as a struggle for a dominant champion, with the quotes set inside a narrative of a winless drought.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 1 Oct 08:35 First CNAN Red Bull's Verstappen eager for first win of the season
- 1 Oct 10:56 +2h 20m Gulf NewsN Verstappen desperate to win at least one race
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.