Verstappen and the approach to 2026: “I did a few laps on the simulator”

In recent years Max Verstappen has been among the most skeptical drivers towards the 2026 regulations, but a few days after his track debut he refrains from making further comments. The Dutch champion preferred to limit the simulator tests of the new car to a minimum, focusing on much more pragmatic preparation based on real-world experience. The Red Bull champion spoke about his approach to the season at the launch event in Detroit, where he met with a small group of publications, including FormulaPassion. Suspended judgment In the recent past Verstappen said that the characteristics of the new technical cycle would influence his decision to continue in Formula 1 or dedicate himself to something else. To date, however, the Dutchman still has no opinion on the new cars: “I would prefer to drive the car, we haven’t done that yet. I don’t want to comment too early, we have to see how everything will be in testing and in the race. It’s still too early.” At this point in the winter break, normally the drivers have already had the opportunity to test the new single-seater extensively on the simulator. In this, however, Verstappen goes against the grain: “I haven’t completed many laps yet, because last year I wanted to focus on the 2025 car. In the end you learn a lot more after driving the real car, because you can also correlate it better with the simulator. Maybe in the next few weeks I’ll spend a little more time on it. [La scorsa stagione] it was still early days, there were some unknowns and even the regulations were not 100% confirmed. I don’t want to spend too much time driving something that might not be realistic.” Photo Mark Thompson/Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool Towards the tests In addition to the technical regulations, Verstappen’s other novelty for 2026 is the collaboration with Red Bull Powertrain-Ford, the fourth engine manufacturer of his career after Ferrari, Renault and Honda: “The regulations and engines have changed a lot, but we always try to grasp the strengths of a certain manufacturer to try to combine everything. Obviously, as technology evolves and sometimes it’s difficult to do so.” Max will try to give his own indications for the development of the power unit, a job he is now used to: “Even last year I gave my impressions on what could be done better. This is what we try to work on, it is a process that needs to be addressed. It’s not always easy, you always have to look for maximum performance and then also try to make the engine drivable.” Driveability and delivery strategies will be some of the priorities of the collective shakedown in Spain: “The Barcelona test will mainly be on the reliability and driveability of the engine. These will be the most important things for us to focus on.” Apart from this, however, Verstappen prefers not to think of a particular aspect to focus on once he gets into the cockpit: “Many things come to mind now, but when you jump into the car you might find yourself facing other aspects. So I try to keep an open mind, as I always do with every car I drive.”