# Who slept best last night: Max Verstappen

> Max Verstappen wins twice in a row as Mercedes dominance fades.
- Title: Who slept best last night: Max Verstappen · Motorsport
- Summary: Max Verstappen wins twice in a row as Mercedes dominance fades. Max Verstappen secured two consecutive victories for Red Bull Racing, challenging Mercedes'…
- Keywords: max verstappen, red bull racing, mercedes, formula 1, ferrari, kimi antonelli, sebastian vettel, wolff, f1 2026, w17, baku, malaysia
- Source: Motorsport — https://motorsport.com/f1/news/who-slept-best-last-night-max-verstappen-10864485/10864485
- Author: Oleg Karpov
- Published: 2026-10-12T05:25:41+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: max verstappen, red bull racing, mercedes, formula 1, ferrari, kimi antonelli, sebastian vettel, wolff, f1 2026, w17, baku, malaysia
## Max Verstappen wins twice in a row
Max Verstappen secured two consecutive victories for Red Bull Racing, challenging Mercedes' early 2026 dominance in Formula 1.
## Mercedes dominated early 2026
Mercedes built the best power unit and chassis, becoming favorites for the next couple of years in Formula 1.
## Kimi Antonelli leads title race
Kimi Antonelli grabbed the lead early in the championship, refusing to let anyone touch it.
## Mercedes' early dominance questioned
Mercedes' early 2026 dominance may have been a logical consequence of events from 2025 and early 2026.
## Red Bull's Baku upgrade
Red Bull's Baku upgrade hints at rivals catching up to Mercedes' early 2026 advantage.
## Max Verstappen's contract
Max Verstappen chose to stay with Red Bull Racing despite the team's recent struggles, securing his future.
## 2027 championship prospects
Max Verstappen aims to challenge Kimi Antonelli for the 2027 Formula 1 championship.
## Mercedes' power unit advantage
Mercedes' power unit was the current benchmark, but Red Bull's development may have closed the gap.
## Red Bull's 2026 performance
Red Bull Racing improved significantly after the Baku upgrade, leading the championship with a healthy margin.
## Max Verstappen's perspective
Max Verstappen feels a significant difference in his racing experience compared to the beginning of the year.
## Key takeaway

Max Verstappen secured two consecutive victories for Red Bull Racing, challenging Mercedes' early 2026 dominance in Formula 1.