Monday, December 29, 2025

Max Verstappen’s 7 toughest F1 circuits where he’s never stood atop the podium despite his dominance

Despite Max Verstappen’s commanding performance throughout recent years, there remain several Formula 1 circuits where he has yet to claim victory. Even after dominating nearly every race venue on the current F1 calendar, these seven tracks still elude the Dutch driver, highlighting some of the rare challenges in his career.

Tracks where Max Verstappen is still seeking his first win

As of the 2025 British Grand Prix, Verstappen’s record includes numerous wins across many circuits, but these seven race tracks stand out as exceptions where the four-time World Champion has not yet reached the top step.

Challenges at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore

Max Verstappen has raced eight times at the Singapore Grand Prix, securing two second-place finishes but never a victory. Notably, this is the only current event on the 2025 Formula 1 calendar where Verstappen has yet to win a race during his career. Known as Formula 1’s original night race, the Marina Bay Circuit has been a tough battleground for Red Bull, with Verstappen finishing off the top spot despite multiple attempts.

His 2023 season, marked by 19 wins from 22 races, included Singapore as his only non-podium result. While Verstappen is not one to focus excessively on statistics, completing wins at every circuit would represent a significant milestone in his already remarkable trajectory.

Max Verstappen
Image of: Max Verstappen

Sochi Autodrom: A past venue without a Verstappen victory

Although removed after 2021 due to geopolitical events, the Sochi International Autodrom in Russia hosted seven of Verstappen’s races, where his best results were two second-place finishes. Apart from one retirement, he consistently scored points across all his starts.

Set around the Olympic Park built for the Winter Olympics, Sochi’s absence from the calendar following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine means it is unlikely Verstappen will get another chance to seek his first win there in the near future.

Istanbul Park: Tough conditions with a podium but no win

Returning to the calendar during the pandemic-affected 2020 and 2021 seasons, Istanbul Park presented challenging conditions for Verstappen. In 2020, he started strongly on the front row but slipped to sixth amid a slippery track and a spin during the race.

The following year, engaged in a fierce title battle with Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen managed a second-place finish behind Valtteri Bottas, Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate. Efforts by circuit officials to return Istanbul Park to regular F1 rotation continue, but calendar congestion means a swift return is uncertain.

Podium finishes at Portugal’s Algarve Circuit, but victory still out of reach

Portimão joined the Formula 1 schedule amid the disruptions caused by the global pandemic, quickly gaining popularity among drivers and fans alike. Verstappen earned strong podium finishes in both of his appearances at the track but fell short of victory each time, with Lewis Hamilton taking the chequered flag on both occasions.

The future of the Algarve International Circuit on the F1 calendar remains uncertain, leaving Verstappen’s chance of a first win there open but currently unfulfilled.

Mugello: A short-lived race marked by misfortune

The Tuscan Grand Prix at the Mugello Circuit was held only once, in 2020, and ended in disappointment for Verstappen. Known for its connection to Ferrari’s development program and its presence on motorcycle racing calendars, Mugello’s F1 debut was unique.

Qualifying third behind dominating Mercedes drivers, Verstappen’s race started poorly with a slow getaway. On the first lap, he became entangled in a crash involving Pierre Gasly, Kimi Räikkönen, and Romain Grosjean. Verstappen’s car was forced into the gravel trap, causing him to retire early, ending his chance to compete for the win.

Nürburgring: A return to the German circuit with a second-place finish

The Nürburgring, alternating with Hockenheim for the German Grand Prix before being dropped, made a comeback in 2020. This race was noted for Lewis Hamilton equalling Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 career wins, while Verstappen secured second place after Bottas’ early pit stop.

Despite a late challenge, Verstappen was unable to overtake Hamilton, adding a runner-up finish but no victory to his Nürburgring record.

Unlucky weekend at Bahrain’s Outer Circuit

While Verstappen triumphed on the regular Bahrain layout in more recent seasons, his lone appearance on the ‘Outer’ circuit layout in 2020 was difficult. The race featured very short lap times, with Sergio Perez capturing his first Grand Prix victory.

Verstappen’s race ended on the first lap after an incident at Turn 4. Attempting to avoid a collision between Perez and Charles Leclerc, Verstappen went off track into the gravel and struck the barrier, forcing retirement. This layout has not been used again, and although unlikely, future track modifications by Formula One Management and officials could potentially see its return.

Looking ahead: Verstappen’s pursuit of wins at every circuit

Max Verstappen’s quest to conquer every circuit underlines both his dominance and the unique challenges within Formula 1 racing. While many venues have witnessed his multiple victories, these seven tracks remain elusive, reflecting a blend of unfortunate incidents, strong rivals, and changing calendars.

With some circuits unlikely to return, such as Sochi, others like Istanbul Park and Portugal’s Algarve Circuit may offer opportunities if reintroduced. Meanwhile, Singapore stands as the only current event where Verstappen’s remarkable campaign has not produced a race win.

Completing this collection of victories would solidify Verstappen’s legacy as one of the most versatile and successful drivers in Formula 1 history, as he continues to compete at the highest level against top teammates and rivals like Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, and Charles Leclerc.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Is Max Verstappen a millionaire?

A. As of December 2024, Celebrity Net Worth estimates Verstappen’s wealth to be around $200 million.

He accumulated this wealth through endorsements, investments, and a high-paying Formula 1 salary. Before 2020, his earnings were less compared to leading F1 drivers.

Q. Did Max Verstappen apologize?

A. Christian Horner shared that Max Verstappen said sorry to the Red Bull team after he collided with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix. This crash caused Verstappen to fall from 5th to 10th place at the finish line because of a 10-second penalty.

Q. Did Max Verstappen have a baby?

A. MIAMI — Max Verstappen shared the news that he and his partner Kelly Piquet have welcomed their first child. The four-time world champion announced on Instagram that their new daughter is named Lily. In his post, he expressed, “Welcome to the world, sweet Lily. You are our greatest gift, and our hearts have never been fuller.”

Q. Who did Max Verstappen lose respect for?

A. Max Verstappen expressed that he “lost all respect” for George Russell following a stewards’ meeting in Qatar about a qualifying incident in Formula 1.