MELBOURNE, Australia — Four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen said Thursday he is uncertain how the opening Grand Prix of the 2026 season will unfold under sweeping new regulations, but he felt excitement when he first saw the new Red Bull car.
Verstappen, who won six of the last nine Grands Prix in 2025, tested the car during pre-season trials in Bahrain, where teams are adjusting to overhauled chassis and engines. He noted that drivers will have to manage their batteries more carefully on each lap, a process he called “anti-racing.”
Red Bull is competing this season with its own factory-built power units, replacing the Honda engines used in previous years. Team chief Laurent Mekies described the change as “one of the biggest challenges to face in our sport” but said the team has embraced it.
Verstappen, who won the Australian Grand Prix in 2023, said he and his team have been collecting data and optimizing the car in preparation for the season opener at Albert Park. His teammate, French driver Isack Hadjar, promoted from Racing Bulls, said the team’s goal is to build confidence under race conditions and maximize performance from the first session.
