Max Verstappen sends 2026 Red Bull testing warning that might disappoint some F1 fans

Follow us on Google Discover

Red Bull Racing completed their final day of running in 2025 on Tuesday, but Max Verstappen was nowhere to be seen.

The post-season test held after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix gave all 10 teams the chance to do one final day of preparation before the winter shutdown and the introduction of a brand new set of regulations.

Red Bull handed Isack Hadjar his first chance to drive the RB21 after his promotion was confirmed.

The young Frenchman completed 111 laps, taking on a full day of responsibility in Red Bull’s mule car as Max Verstappen was handed an early end to his 2025 campaign.

Pre-season will come around far more quickly than in previous seasons, with the first test taking place behind closed doors in Barcelona from January 26.

Red Bull are already easing concerns about their 2026 cars, but Verstappen has now explained why fans shouldn’t get too excited about the start of pre-season next year.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Max Verstappen expects to ‘spend more time’ in the pit lane than out on track during 2026 F1 pre-season

A report from the Swiss outlet Blick provided more details about what fans can expect next season.

Cars will have new power units, aerodynamics and smaller tyres as Formula 1 attempts to make overtaking easier than during the ground-effect era.

The cars will also be slightly narrower, although it’s yet to be seen whether this will make overtaking on circuits such as Monaco easier, as concerns persist about whether the new aerodynamic rules will give some drivers a huge advantage on the straights.

Ferrari are already tweaking their 2026 car, while Red Bull have the added complication of building their first power unit alongside Ford.

Give Max Verstappen’s 2025 Formula 1 season a rating out of 10

Is there anything he could have done better this year?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

DRS will also disappear, and Verstappen, who was speaking to Blick during the Abu Dhabi weekend, said when asked about testing: “At the first test in Barcelona at the end of January, we’ll probably spend more time waiting in the pits than sitting in the car.”

The test in Barcelona isn’t open to the public or the media, before all 11 teams head to Bahrain for two more outings before the opening race in Australia.

Despite this, fans will be desperate to hear about Red Bull’s initial outings, and Verstappen’s admission that he doesn’t expect to be out on track very often will be disappointing to say the least.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Max Verstappen will be encouraged by Isack Hadjar’s verdict on his 2025 Red Bull test

Verstappen will welcome his fourth different teammate in the last 18 months to Red Bull during testing in Barcelona as Hadjar makes the step up from Racing Bulls.

Although the Frenchman only set the 21st best time on Tuesday, it was far more important for him to get up to speed quickly with the team.

Verstappen’s manager has told Hadjar what’s expected of him, and reflecting on his test, he said: “It was great to get my first laps in as an official Oracle Red Bull Racing driver. It’s nice to know that I’ll be able to come back in January and already have met and worked with more of the team, having met a lot already through testing over the last couple of years.

“They welcomed me really well and I already feel comfortable with this group. Of course, this is a totally different car to the one I will be driving in Barcelona but it was good to get a feel of the tyres.

“It’s also important to bank the data now and it’ll definitely help over the coming months as we build towards the new season.”