Red Bull: “In Australia with many unknowns, difficult to predict how it will end”

“We have reached the real test.” Max Verstappen knows that Melbourne, where the opening round of the 2026 Formula 1 season will take place this Sunday, will be a crucial race—perhaps even a decisive one. While it is true, as many insiders continue to point out, that the new championship will ultimately be shaped by in-season development, it is equally true that the Australian Grand Prix will not only reveal who starts on the front foot, but also provide an early verdict on the impact of the new regulations.

It is no coincidence that Verstappen himself admits it will be “difficult to predict how it will end,” especially considering that Albert Park is one of the most demanding circuits when it comes to hybrid system management and energy deployment. Technical matters aside, the Dutchman said he is “very excited to get back on track, especially considering the hard work required to be ready.”

The RB22 is, after all, the first single-seater built in Milton Keynes to feature a fully “in-house” power unit, developed in collaboration with Ford. “Being able to complete so many laps in testing with a Power Unit built by us was really impressive. All the team members were incredibly proud to see the car on track for the first time, and I think, overall, an excellent job has been done.”

Mekies: “Melbourne is a historic moment for Red Bull, the first race with our engine”

If for Verstappen Melbourne “is a circuit full of memories, where I raced my first F1 Grand Prix,” for Isack Hadjar it will mark his debut race in Red Bull colours. “I am really excited,” explained the Franco-Algerian driver. “I have worked for a long time for this moment and the preparation over the winter has been very intense.”

So what is the target for his first race? “Definitely to gain more confidence with the new regulations in race conditions. And of course, to extract the maximum from the car right from the first session on track.”

The sense of anticipation is shared by Team Principal Laurent Mekies, who stepped into the role during the 2025 season and is now leading the Anglo-Austrian squad into a championship from the very beginning for the first time. “Melbourne represents a historic moment for the team,” explained the former Ferrari man, “with the first race appearance of an engine created by Red Bull and Ford. This is the result of immense teamwork, carried out with dedication and belief.”

However, there is also clear awareness that “the road ahead is still long: building a competitive engine from scratch is perhaps the greatest challenge in this sport, but we have embraced it.”

Schmitz: “New regulations add strategic uncertainty”

Hannah Schmitz, Red Bull’s Head of Strategy, also spoke about “a significant degree of uncertainty” heading into the Australian Grand Prix. “This year there are truly many variables to consider, but perhaps that is what makes the strategic side of the sport so fascinating.”

Right from the opening races, she added, “we will need to be ready to make decisive calls, so a major challenge awaits us.”

There is also a sense of pride following the decision by the Australian Grand Prix organisers to name Turn 6 after Hannah Schmitz and Laura Müller, race engineer to Esteban Ocon at Haas. “It is an important recognition of the contribution of women in our sport. I am very proud to be part of it and I cannot wait to see it in person.”

Red Bull’s journey into the unknown with its first proprietary Power Unit therefore marks the most significant technical pivot in the team’s history. While Max Verstappen’s experience and Hannah Schmitz’s strategic brilliance provide a safety net, the sheer complexity of the new regulations means that Albert Park will be a steep learning curve for the entire Milton Keynes operation. If the RB22 can match its testing reliability with raw race pace, Red Bull may well silence the skeptics who doubted their ability to build a competitive engine from scratch. The Australian Grand Prix is not just a race for Red Bull; it is the beginning of a new era as a fully independent manufacturer in the pinnacle of motorsport.