Defending Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has praised the work done by his team ahead of the new season, saying he is proud of the effort put in by Red Bull Racing as the sport prepares for a major set of technical changes.
For the next year, the Formula 1 regulation changes are coming into effect, including some major updates, such as new aerodynamic rules and new power unit systems. As a result, some of these rule changes are already being debated by both teams and drivers after pre-season testing.
Despite some concerns raised within the paddock, Max Verstappen believes it is now too late to reconsider the rules.
Max Verstappen Says ‘It’s a Bit Late for That’
Many drivers have raised concerns about the new rules, specifically about how the engines are managing power through the new technology.
They feel that more flexibility is needed from the FIA to allow for some changes, if necessary, to incorporate driver input.
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However, Max Verstappen made it clear that such changes are unlikely at this stage.
“It’s a bit late for that,” he said while speaking to the media during the race weekend preparations.
“The amount of money that has been invested in these regulations means they will be around for a while. You could have seen this coming. Suddenly, when things are raised now, it’s a bit late.”
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Red Bull’s New Power Unit
A significant advancement in Red Bull’s racing program is the introduction of their own power unit. The engine program is a large technical project and was highly sought after by many teams in testing.
So far, this new system appears to be performing very well with reliability and balance despite it being only early in the season.
Max expressed satisfaction with how the project has come together.
“I’m very happy with what we did in pre-season,” he said. “It’s been a really great and proud moment for everyone, seeing how the whole project came together between the engine and the car.”
Car’s Positive First Impression On Max Verstappen
According to Max Verstappen, the car has felt comfortable to drive despite the complexity of the new regulations.
“I was really positively surprised with how everything felt,” he said. “The rule changes have been really complex for everyone, but in terms of the feeling in the car and the driving experience between the engine and the car, it was good.”
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He also acknowledged that not every aspect of the changes has been perfect, but the team’s overall progress has impressed him.
“Of course, I’ve had my say on the other things that I didn’t like, but what happened within the team has been really, really good.”
While Max Verstappen praised the team’s work, he admitted that it is still too early to know exactly where Red Bull stands compared to its rivals.
“Now, of course, looking at the performance side of things, we want to be a little bit faster,” he said. “Naturally, everyone always wants to be faster.”
He added that testing in Bahrain suggested the team might not yet be the quickest on the grid.
“From the things that we learned in Bahrain, we’re not the quickest. But I have no idea. We’ll just see where we are here to start with.”
The Grand Australia Prix
The first real test of the new cars will come at the season-opening race, the Australian Grand Prix. The race will give teams their first opportunity to evaluate the performance of the new machines in competitive conditions.
With major technical changes and new power units in play, the opening rounds of the season could play a crucial role in shaping the championship battle.
Also Read: 2026 Australian Grand Prix: Explosive Controversies and Excitement Build-up
