Max Verstappen already ‘impressed’ after seeing one key part of Red Bull’s new 2026 Formula 1 car

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Max Verstappen is eyeing a return to the front of the grid in 2026 as Red Bull become an engine manufacturer.

The Dutchman is in contention for the 2025 championship, but faces an uphill battle as he sits 49 points behind Lando Norris with three races to go. Verstappen has put in exceptional performances in the inferior RB21, but the McLaren has been the dominant force this season.

The 2026 F1 regulations will present a significant test for the teams as they look to build a competitive car. Red Bull will introduce their own power unit in collaboration with Ford from next season, but there are some doubts surrounding the project.

A ‘theory’ in the paddock says Red Bull have given up on 2026, with previous rumours stating that their engine will be off the pace next season. That is worrying for the team, especially when their star driver is said to be considering his future.

Verstappen has favourable exit clauses in his contract in 2026, allowing for a potential move away. He is said to be assessing his options and looking at the teams’ performance next season before making a decision, with the Dutchman being heavily linked to Mercedes.

Verstappen is ‘afraid’ that Red Bull’s 2026 engine will fail, according to Ted Kravitz. It may explain why the four-time champion has been keen to see the progress in the factory for himself.

Max Verstappen was ‘impressed’ with where Red Bull’s 2026 engine currently is and how it sounds

Red Bull technical director Ben Hodgkinson spoke via The Inside Track about Verstappen’s recent visit to the Red Bull factory. He says that the 28-year-old was impressed by the progress of the 2026 engine, having also heard what it sounds like.

He said: “I think he was impressed with where we were. We was able to show him just how much hardware is going through our build shots and on our dynos.

“He was able to see some running engines doing laps, so he got to hear what the ‘26 power unit would sound like. I guess he’ll be hearing that just behind his head for quite a number of hours, so it was the first time he got to hear exactly what it sounded like.

“I think he was impressed. Normally when I show people around, they’re flabbergasted at the amount of detail that we go into. This is an exceptional facility put together by a group of really exceptional people.

“And the level of detail we go into on every single element, I think is absolutely vital and trying to get where we aspire to get on the grid and on the podium.

“But when you share that detail, their minds blow. I can’t quite believe how many elements that we dissect.”

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Max Verstappen has a ‘great understanding’ behind the scenes at Red Bull

Hodgkinson also lauded Verstappen’s technical feedback to the team during his visit. He was keen to point out how important performance is to him, but he knows that he has the right people around him.

“Yeah, he has got a great understanding. I’m sure that’s part of his advantage, to be honest,” he added. “And he was asking lots of really intelligent questions as we went around. He really wanted to know more about certain bits that we’re talking about. It was a real pleasure to tell him more about it.”

“He was certainly very keen to point out how important it is to have the performance. But I mean, he knew that.

“And so, I guess he very quickly realised that he was walking around with like-minded individuals. I mean, we all are aiming to be at the front. That is the only thing that is success and anything else isn’t good enough. So that’s what we’re pushing for.”