Verstappen prepared for the 'unknown' as Red Bull launch new car – Oman Observer
London: Max Verstappen admitted the new-look Red Bullwill take “time to adjust” to as he prepares for his bid to regainthe world title.
Amid a welter of new regulations, Red Bull head into the 2026 seasonwith the added challenge of producing their own power units inpartnership with Ford.
Speaking at a launch event in Detroit which revealed the new-lookcar, Verstappen admitted he needed to adapt to the changes.
“It's all still a bit unknown,” he said. “It's a very big change withthe engine, the dimension of the car has changed.”
“For the drivers, it will take a bit of time to adjust and that's whyit's very important during the test days that we are getting our lapsin.”
Verstappen took the title battle to the final race last season afteralmost erasing a deficit of more than 100 points and is keen to buildon that momentum.
“It's always better to have an ending like that,” he said. “Themotivation is very high, everyone is very excited to start this newchapter.”
He is joined in the Red Bull driving line-up by Isack Hadjar whoenjoyed an impressive rookie season with junior team Racing Bulls.
The 21-year-old Frenchman clinched a maiden podium at the Dutch GrandPrix in August and has high ambitions for the coming season.
“A maiden race win would be good – at least,” he said at the launchevent.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies admitted the team faces plentyof obstacles as they launched their new power unit.
“It's going to be the biggest change of regulations in Formula 1history, but that was not enough,” he said.
“We decided to do our own power unit with our strategic partner Ford.It's a crazy challenge. It's going to be a year full of challenges.”
“We are not naive. We know it is going to come with a certain amountof struggle. We know it is going to come with difficulties.”
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