Max Verstappen is aiming for his fourth Formula 1 victory of the 2026 season as Red Bull heads to the Brazilian Grand Prix following an impressive run of results. The four-time world champion arrives at Interlagos with seven consecutive podium finishes and three victories in the last four races, including his latest triumph in Mexico City.
The Dutchman has produced some of the most memorable performances of his career in Brazil and is looking forward to returning to a circuit where he has enjoyed considerable success. Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar is also targeting a strong weekend as the team looks to consolidate third place in the Constructors’ Championship, having established a 17-point advantage over McLaren.
Max Verstappen returns to Interlagos after remarkable Red Bull resurgence
Max Verstappen has firmly re-established himself among Formula 1’s leading contenders following Red Bull’s significant improvement over recent months. The Dutchman has become a regular presence on the podium again, with his seven consecutive top-three finishes underlining the team’s progress.
Three victories have strengthened that momentum, with the latest coming at the Mexico City Grand Prix. The success has provided further encouragement ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, an event that holds particular significance for Verstappen.
Although he has won at Interlagos on three occasions, the Dutchman has been involved in several memorable moments at the São Paulo circuit, even during races he did not win.
In 2016, Verstappen produced a remarkable wet-weather overtake on Nico Rosberg. Two years later, he was involved in a controversial collision with the lapped Esteban Ocon, while the 2021 race featured his determined defence against Lewis Hamilton, whose Mercedes enjoyed a substantial performance advantage.
More recently, Verstappen delivered two outstanding recovery drives at Interlagos. In 2024, he climbed from 17th on the grid to victory, before recovering from 19th to finish third in the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix.
Those performances have helped establish Interlagos as one of the circuits most closely associated with Verstappen’s ability to produce exceptional results in difficult circumstances.
Max Verstappen praises Red Bull after Mexico City Grand Prix victory
Verstappen’s latest victory was particularly meaningful following a season in which Red Bull initially faced significant challenges. The Dutchman was quick to acknowledge the contribution of the entire team when reflecting on the progress made during recent races.
“It was fantastic to win in Mexico and the credit mainly goes to the team. The last few weekends have definitely been more promising and I didn’t think I would win three races this year. It’s a very positive step forward heading into the final races,” Verstappen explained.
The result marked another important stage in Red Bull’s recovery, following a period in which the team had struggled to consistently challenge its rivals. Earlier in the season, Verstappen had discussed engine-related difficulties following the United States Grand Prix, highlighting some of the challenges facing the team.
With the recent improvements delivering three victories in four races, attention now turns to whether Red Bull can maintain its competitive form at Interlagos.
Why the Brazilian Grand Prix is particularly special to Max Verstappen
Beyond his previous success on the circuit, Verstappen has a personal connection to Brazil that makes the Grand Prix especially meaningful.
“It’s a fantastic place and obviously special because my wife’s family lives there. The circuit has given me some great results in the past and we’ve had some great races and wonderful memories, so I hope it can be another positive weekend,” he said.
The four-time world champion’s relationship with the country will also be reflected in a special helmet design for the Brazilian Grand Prix. The helmet has been created to celebrate his connection with Brazil and pay tribute to the local supporters.
“It has a design intended to be something nice for the fans and to show how special this place is to me. It’s a fun circuit to drive and I’m excited to return,” Verstappen added.
With three previous victories and several memorable comeback drives to his name, the Dutchman will once again be among the drivers attracting attention when Formula 1 returns to Interlagos.
Isack Hadjar targets cleaner Brazilian GP weekend after recent controversies
On the other side of the Red Bull garage, Isack Hadjar arrives in Brazil determined to respond positively after several controversial moments involving both the team and supporters in recent weeks.
The French driver believes Red Bull has made encouraging progress, particularly with its race pace and starts, but wants to put together a more consistent weekend at Interlagos.
“Our pace has been really strong and we’ve made good progress with our starts, so there are positives to take to Brazil. However, we want to have a cleaner weekend, make the most of the car’s speed and continue increasing our advantage in the championship,” Hadjar explained.
The Red Bull driver also highlighted the particular demands of Interlagos, where the short lap and different circuit characteristics will require the team to identify the car’s optimal operating window quickly.
“The lap at Interlagos is short and has different characteristics compared with Mexico. If we can find the car’s correct operating window straight away, we can fight for an important result,” he added.
Hadjar’s comments reflect the importance of extracting the maximum performance from the car throughout the weekend, particularly as Red Bull attempts to strengthen its position in the Constructors’ Championship.
Red Bull aims to extend 17-point advantage over McLaren in Brazil
The Brazilian Grand Prix represents another important test for Red Bull as the team seeks to confirm the progress demonstrated during its recent outings.
With Verstappen targeting another victory and Hadjar determined to deliver a more straightforward weekend, the team will be looking to maximise the performance of both cars at a circuit that presents a different challenge from Mexico City.
Red Bull currently holds a 17-point advantage over McLaren in the battle for third place in the Constructors’ Championship. That gap has become particularly significant following McLaren’s recent difficulties and Red Bull’s recovery in the championship standings.
The characteristics of Interlagos will provide another opportunity to assess whether Red Bull’s improvement can be maintained across different types of circuits. Verstappen’s recent form offers encouragement, while Hadjar’s ability to deliver a clean weekend could prove important to the team’s overall result.
As Formula 1 heads to Brazil, Red Bull’s immediate objective is clear: build on its recent performances, deliver another strong weekend and consolidate third place in the Constructors’ Championship.
More Formula 1 news ahead of the Brazilian GP
- Max Verstappen jokes about Red Bull’s start problems after Mexico GP qualifying setback
- Max Verstappen demands answers from Red Bull after United States GP difficulties
- Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri discuss McLaren’s pace problems after Austin
- 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix schedule, session start times and TV coverage
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