The Milton Keynes-based team are entering a new chapter as a full works outfit, building their own engine in partnership with Ford Motor Company.
The collaboration marks Ford’s return to Formula 1 after more than 20 years away from the sport.
Pre-season testing in Bahrain offered encouragement. The new RB22 ran reliably and performed better than many had expected, especially given the scale of the challenge involved in producing a brand-new power unit under the 2026 regulations.
Speaking at an event organised by Viaplay, Verstappen reflected positively on the test.
“All in all, it’s a positive feeling,” said the four-time world champion. “We had very few issues. It’s quite remarkable that we’ve managed to get everything so well organised with a new engine and so many new people involved. In that respect, I’m very pleased.”
However, the Dutchman was realistic about Red Bull’s short-term prospects. He does not expect to fight for wins immediately.
“If you look at the performance, we still need to take a step forward to truly fight at the front,” he explained. “At this moment, I don’t think we’ll be competing for victory. But that was not our expectation at the start of these regulations with our own engine.”
Verstappen also suggested rival teams may have underestimated the project.
“They probably thought the engine would simply blow up,” he said. “We’ve done a superb job and have things well under control. We can be proud of that.”
When pressed on where improvements are needed, Verstappen pointed to correlation – ensuring data from simulations matches real-world track performance.
“You always have to take temperature into account, both of the engine itself and the ambient conditions,” he said. “That has a significant influence on performance. In that area, we can still take a step forward.”
The 2026 season begins with the Australian Grand Prix on 8 March at the Australian Grand Prix, held at Melbourne’s Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit – where Red Bull’s new era will face its first true test.
