This specially designed suit, incorporating bold orange detail celebrates Max’s last home race as it leaves the F1 calendar. Fans and collectors alike have a unique chance to make a meaningful difference while bidding on a rare piece of motorsport memorabilia, which is signed and framed ready for display by the winning bidder.

"Not a lot happened," Max reflected after the Sprint in Zandvoort. "Tyre degradation was fairly well under control, so that was a positive. It was just that I got stuck behind Piastri, who was struggling with his rear end. Massive oversteer. But then again, you simply cannot overtake around here, so that made it a tricky affair."

Looking ahead to the remainder of the weekend, Max added: "Hopefully we can try a few things now to at least unlock some single-lap pace, because that gap is obviously still significant."

“(It) was just a bit tricky to find the grip, the balance”, Max shares after finishing sprint qualifying. “I mean, it was already a step forward from FP1, but of course, (we're) still lacking a little bit to get to be a little bit further up the road.”

Max further explains: “It's something that we need to understand, I guess, now - what we can do with the balance for tomorrow to find a bit more grip, really. A bit of balance, bit of grip to close the gap a bit."

At the start of FP1, conditions were dry overhead, though the track remained damp in patches. Dark clouds were also looming over the circuit, threatening further showers, with a 60% chance of rain forecast for the session.

“Being part of this team already for such a long time it's definitely like a second family. We have won so much, and we have had so many incredible moments already together. With Laurent joining last year, I think from the start, the relationship has been really good, very open and transparent. The future of the team played a role in this decision, as well as some strategic decisions. For me it feels absolutely right to continue here. I have always said, when Dietrich was still alive, that my goal is to finish my career in this team. And I think we are getting close to that. Of course, there are still a lot of years ahead, but that's still the goal. That's why I'm very proud to extend. We’ve been at the top many times, and I think we all want to do everything we can to get back there.”

Since joining the Red Bull Junior Programme in 2014 and making his Red Bull Racing debut in 2016 with a victory at his very first Grand Prix, Max has become far more than a driver. He is a defining part of Oracle Red Bull Racing’s history, identity and success.

Together, Max and the team have secured four drivers’ world championships, two constructors’ world championships and 71 Grand Prix victories, creating some of the most memorable moments of the modern era of F1.

As they prepare to enter seasons 12 to 15 together, this commitment is about more than continuing an already extraordinary alliance. It is a powerful statement of mutual trust and ambition and a shared decision to shape the future together.

Red Bull has resolved this internally by promoting Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson to Red Bull Racing. The New Zealander's seat at Racing Bulls is subsequently filled by Yuki Tsunoda.

“I didn’t expect to be on the podium today, but we worked hard for it,” Max explained after the race. “I think the start was decent — you know, to get through turn one and two — then after the first stop, to get back ahead of Lewis under breaking into turn one. And then trying to survive on the compounds, trying to make the right calls with the strategy, as well. Yeah, (I’m) very happy to be second here.”

The Red Bull-driver didn’t have the easiest go of it during the race: “It was one of the hardest races of the year, in terms of how I felt in the car. For 80% of the race… it wasn't enjoyable. the balance of the car was undriveable. The car was difficult to control. It had too much oversteer and was difficult to control in the hobbles. At the start already something wasn’t right. When I got out of the car there was a hole in the bodywork. Those kinds of things definitely don’t help.”

After the first pit stop, Ferrari successfully executed an undercut and Hamilton got ahead of Max. However, Max responded quickly and reclaimed his position with an impressive overtaking maneuvre. “I saw the opportunity as my only one, so I went for it. We’re good on the breaks so that helped. I was all under control.”

In the closing phases Max stayed out on the soft tyres, a move that proved decisive. “We had no other choice. If I went in, then I would’ve been behind the grid and behind Lewis. Then you’re done. We had to stay out and hope the tyres would hang on.” In spite of the great finish, Max stays realistic. “We have enough things we need to have a hard look at. I can’t say we’re there yet, because that’s not how it feels at all.”

The event, which is subject to final agreements and official sign-off, including the approval of the World Motor Sport Council, will become the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

This agreement, reached between Formula 1, the FIA, the Government of Bahrain, and the Government of Malaysia, allows Formula 1 to preserve a Grand Prix that would otherwise not have happened. The rest of the schedule for 2026 remains unchanged.

Sepang – which made its debut as an F1 venue in 1999 – is one of Formula 1’s most iconic and challenging circuits, known for its passionate fans, exciting racing and unpredictable weather.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said: “We are delighted to confirm that Malaysia will host the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2026. Once again, the sport has demonstrated its ability to adapt, find solutions, and deliver, creating an exciting moment for everyone who follows Formula 1."

“The drivers were not happy with the balance; we are not where we want to be yet and it’s clear that we are not yet quick enough. When the cars are on the edge, like they are for everyone, then the smallest perturbation can upset things. On a more positive note, we ran the new iteration of the rear wing here all day without any issue. We have a lot of work to do tonight, but we already know where we can improve. We will go step by step and see where we get to tomorrow in FP3. I think the wind will once again make things challenging for everyone, so adapting to the conditions will be key."

After the second free practice session, Max says: "It was a difficult day. It was difficult to find a good balance in the car. We need to make the car more consistent on a lap, and make that work on the long runs as well. So there's still some work to do for tomorrow."

FP1 features several rookies with Paul Aron driving Franco Colapinto’s Alpine, Leonardo Fornaroli occupying Oscar Piastri’s McLaren, Frederik Vesti in Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes and Ryo Hirakawa steering Ollie Bearman’s Haas.

“We try every weekend to understand the essence of the car and on some tracks that’s easier than others. But it’s an upward trend”, said the Oracle Red Bull Racing driver. “Of course, we don’t know what the other teams bring in terms of updates. A weekend being good or bad might depend on the updates others bring if it gives them a couple of tenths worth of pace. We just approach it race by race.”

The 2026 power units remain a hot topic in and around the paddock. “At some point, it does get a bit tiring to repeat myself, it’s already difficult enough to drive with these cars”, smiles Max.

“We knew coming here that we would have a penalty with Isack and that he would be starting from the back of the grid, so, from early in the weekend, the plan was to make the most out of this situation and to get Isack to also help Max throughout Qualifying with slip stream. He and the Team executed this to perfection and that has certainly helped getting Max on the front row. We have been a long way off the straight-line performance Mercedes has shown this weekend and the tow certainly helped reducing that gap." 

“Isack did an amazing job in Q3 providing a tow in the final sector. That’s the reason I’m on the front row. It worked out well. It was close, but I trust him”, said Max after qualifying. “Tomorrow I’ll probably have to look in my mirrors, but today’s result was really good, despite lacking top speed. We’re not on the pace of Kimi, but the way we pulled today off as a team is great.”

Max added: “Tomorrow will be challenging; the tyres always struggle around here. I’ll drive my own race, and I’ll try to keep up.”

“It was great to be with the McLaren Mastercard F1 Team in Spa. I was in the garage for FP1 and FP2, so I learned a lot listening into the radio, seeing how the team operated and overall enjoying the experience. It’s always special to be at a Formula 1 event, so I always want to make the most of the opportunity and take away as much as I can from it.”

How special is it to be at Spa as a Belgian driver? Dries answers: “It’s very special. Seeing all the fans and experiencing the support from the Belgian crowd is incredible. Spa is one of my favourite circuits and the atmosphere here is always amazing. Hopefully one day I’ll have the chance to race here myself.”

“It’s been a good day, the car is in a good window”, the Oracle Red Bull Racing driver said. “The balance was there right away, but we still need to do some fine tuning. I’m not sure how much more pace we can find as you see the real gap in FP2.

The Dutchman added: “It’s a challenging track with the energy management as we’re slower on the straights compared to our competitors, but the balance is pretty good. We’ll just keep focussing on ourselves and hopefully we can close the gap in qualifying.”

Following the rear wing issues Max experienced at the Red Bull Ring and Silverstone, which both resulted in crashes, the team has reverted to the previous version of the RB22’s rear wing for this weekend in Belgium. Max explains: “I think it’s quite obvious why we’ve done that. The team is doing everything it can to solve those issues. As soon as the new one is ready, we’ll use it. After Silverstone I went home, took some time to relax and reset, and on Wednesday I was back at the Red Bull Racing factory to prepare for the upcoming Grands Prix. The work simply continues.”

In July 2024, Dries joined the McLaren Driver Development Programme, which saw the teenager progress from karting - where he claimed seven championship titles - to Formula 4. Debuting with Rodin Motorsport for the final three rounds of the 2025 British Formula 4 season, Dries gained valuable experience delivering standout performances that saw him take pole and a subsequent victory on his debut weekend.

The Zolder originating racer’s success continued in the Formula Winter Series with another championship title, claiming nine victories out of the fifteen races. Halfway through the 2026 F4 British Championship, Dries is leading the championship after a double win at Circuit Zandvoort. Dries’ junior career has seen him establish a strong reputation for speed and consistency, earning recognition as a standout talent and one to watch.

“Today, we are a little bit further off pole than we were yesterday and this afternoon, it proved to be more difficult on Max’s side of the garage. We never managed to give him a car with which he could push the way he would have wanted, he was losing speed in a straight line and, in this situation, when it is so close between the top four teams, that is where you end up. Isack did a solid job, considering the limitations he also had with his car. Today, we seem to be the third best team, so let’s see how we can improve on that tomorrow."

“It just didn't work,” Max admits honestly after qualifying. “On one hand there’s just no balance in the car, but on the other hand we're slow on the straights. Somehow on my side of the garage we're slower everywhere. If you're slow on the straights, you use your battery more — you especially see that in the final sector. At some point you have no battery left and it all doesn't work anymore.''

When it comes to what this means for his future prospects, Max doesn’t hold back: “There's a problem within the engine that we can't find. That also leaves me a question mark for tomorrow with what we should do. Because this is pointless.”

“P3-P7 was very close, so we could’ve ended lower, but we are on the right side of that group”, explained Max. “We’re not yet where we want to be. That’s mainly to do with the corners and how we use our energy. We’ll look into that to find more lap time.”

Max added: “The car felt a bit better than in free practice. There is still some work to do, but that’s also to do with the limitations on them straights. We try to find the right balance. During the sprint I mainly expect the fight with the cars behind me.”

The conditions for FP1 are perfect with an ambient temperature of 21 degrees and not a hint of rain, the Great British summer at its best. Hamilton is the first driver to take to the track. All drivers, bar Max, quickly follow suit. The fans have to wait a further five minutes before the Dutchman joins the party.

During the first quarter of the session, Oracle Red Bull Racing appear to have hit the ground running with Isack Hadjar and Max regularly topping the timing charts.

On the other hand, the Oracle Red Bull Racing driver also had the charging Kimi Antonelli behind him at the end, with the Italian likewise running out of laps to mount a challenge for P2 or even the victory. In Spielberg, Max was named ‘Driver of the Day’ for the third time this season, the Formula 1 fan-voted award.

Mekies continued: “Not sending Max out for a second run in Q2 was certainly a close call, but we knew we had to take some risks after deciding to approach qualifying with only three new sets of softs to give ourselves more strategic options for the race.”