Verstappen motivated as Red Bull brace for major F1 changes

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen said he’s keen to get to grips with the new car Red Bull unveiled on Thursday for a 2026 Formula One season of massive change.

The team unveiled the livery for their new cars before a few hundred guests at Detroit’s Michigan Central Station less than two months before the season opens in Melbourne on March 7.

New rules for 2026 see aerodynamic changes to make cars lighter and smaller along with modifications to engine specifications to make for a greater contribution from electric power in the hybrid units.

“There is a lot of unknown, there are big changes in the engine, in the car,” Verstappen said. “Initially I’ll take time to adjust during test days. The motivation is very high.”

“It always takes a bit of time to get used to things,” he added. “You need to understand where the most performance is to be found, get comfortable in the car.

“Also with the new engine now as well, that will take a bit of time.”

Red Bull, which has previously relied on Honda engines, took the gamble in 2023 of developing its own engine for 2026 in partnership with automotive giant Ford, which will return to F1 22 years after its departure.

Verstappen’s run of four straight world titles ended in 2025 as McLaren’s Lando Norris claimed the prize. But despite an inferior car the Dutch driver battled back from a massive deficit in the standings to challenge for the title, snatching eight wins — more than either Norris or teammate Oscar Piastri.

This year Verstappen will be joined by French driver Isack Hadjar, promoted to the team’s Number 2 seat after a successful rookie season with Racing Bulls.

Hadjar was also on hand for Thursday’s splashy big reveal, as was Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies, who said the sweeping regulatory changes and a new engine would make for a steep learning curve.

“I think it would simply be naive of us to think we could build our engine from scratch... and be more competitive right from the start than people who’ve been doing it for 95 years,” he said.

Hadjar targets at least one race win in 2026: Hadjar is dreaming big after landing the ultimate promotion to the Red Bull team, saying on Thursday that his goal for 2026 was to win at least one race after replacing Yuki Tsunoda as Verstappen’s teammate.

The 21-year-old Frenchman, who impressed with sister team Racing Bulls last season, said the reality had still not fully sunk in as he teams up with his idol who he watched win four championships with Red Bull.

“It’s a bit unreal for me. I’ve always dreamed of driving for this team as a kid watching TV. I saw (Sebastian) Vettel winning all those titles and now I’m finally in the big team,” Hadjar said.

Sergio Perez, Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly and Tsunoda have all fallen by the wayside but the transition for Hadjar should prove smoother than most having spent years climbing through Red Bull’s development ranks.

“The Red Bull family have been in it for a couple of years now since I signed up in the program as a kid. So it’s not fully new to me,” Hadjar said.

“I’m lucky enough not to have to meet everyone the first time, there are familiar faces, also a couple of mechanics. I started to work quite early in the season to make sure I’m fully adapted and fully in the rhythm.”

As for his 2026 goals having secured a podium with third place in the Dutch Grand Prix in his rookie season, Hadjar said: “A race win would be good, at least.”

Agencies