Verstappen tempers hopes: 'They thought the engine would go up in the air'

Max Verstappen arrived in Melbourne for 2026, Red Bull’s first season with Ford‑partnered engine. After a smooth Bahrain test he praised its reliability but said the car isn’t ready to fight for wins.

Why it matters:

• Red Bull’s in‑house engine ends a decade‑long reliance on Renault‑derived units, reshaping the grid’s power balance.
• Early reliability could save development time and keep the team in title contention.
• Verstappen’s tempered view sets realistic expectations for the team’s performance trajectory.

The details:

• The 2026 unit is a joint Red Bull‑Ford project, the first fully proprietary engine for the team.
• Bahrain tests showed 'very few problems,' which Verstappen called ‘remarkable,’ while team boss Laurent Mekies noted the programme went from a blank slate three years ago.
• Despite the positive results, Verstappen said the car still needs another ‘step’ before it can challenge for race wins in Melbourne.

What's next:

• Red Bull will continue refining the power unit through pre‑season testing, aiming to close the performance gap before the opening race.
• The team’s realistic stance suggests steady progress will be prioritized, with the goal of challenging Lando Norris and other frontrunners later in the season.