Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has delivered a sobering prediction for Red Bull's initial preparations for the landmark 2026 season, forecasting significant teething problems at the first pre-season test.
A Cautious Outlook for Barcelona Shakedown
Speaking to Swiss publication Blick, Verstappen stated that he anticipates the team will be confined to their garage for extensive periods during the opening test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The first of three pre-season tests is scheduled for 26-30 January, offering teams a private window to understand their radically new machines.
"I think that during the first tests in Barcelona starting on 26 January, we'll be spending more time in the garages than out on the track," Verstappen admitted. His caution stems from the dual challenge facing the reigning constructors' champions: completely new chassis and engine regulations for 2026, coupled with the fact that Red Bull is building its own power unit for the first time in partnership with Ford.
Navigating a New Era for Red Bull
This season represents one of the biggest technical shake-ups in recent F1 history, threatening to disrupt the established competitive order. Red Bull will unveil its 2026 livery at a launch event in Detroit, Michigan, on Thursday night, with junior driver Isack Hadjar present. Hadjar becomes Verstappen's fourth different teammate in just 15 months, following the departures of Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda.
Verstappen, 28, who missed out on a fifth consecutive drivers' title by a mere two points to McLaren's Lando Norris in 2025, emphasised the scale of the unknown. "None of us have any idea about the new car or the engine," he conceded. He expressed hope that clarity would emerge after the subsequent official tests, with two three-day sessions planned in Bahrain on 11-13 February and 18-20 February.
The Long Road to a Fifth Title
With a contract binding him to Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, Verstappen's immediate future is secure. However, the Dutchman knows that early progress from the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 8 March will be critical in his campaign to reclaim the championship.
The team's ability to quickly understand and develop its new, bespoke package will define the early phase of the season. Verstappen's comments serve as a pragmatic reality check, tempering expectations ahead of what promises to be a fiercely competitive and unpredictable new chapter for Formula 1.
