Red Bull and Max Verstappen closed the F1 pre-season with surprising results, prompting his father Jos to describe “promising” signals for 2026.
Red Bull faces a new era
After the biggest technical overhaul in years, all eyes were on how teams would interpret the new rules. For Red Bull, the challenge was even more complex: the Milton Keynes team not only designed a new chassis with the RB22, but also began a new era with their in-house Power Unit, developed alongside Ford under the Red Bull Powertrains brand.
Between the Barcelona shakedown and the official Bahrain tests, Red Bull impressed quietly. Reliability, often an issue during a first year of major regulation changes, proved to be a strength, despite some interruptions during laps by Isack Hadjar in the two official sessions.
Additionally, the RB22 was faster than expected. Although initial expectations suggested a longer adaptation period, the car was well-balanced from the first laps. Its race pace was competitive, and in some fuel-load simulations it was even surprising, hinting that the team may have understood the new aerodynamic rules better than others.
Verstappen’s take on the new RB22
The Power Unit also gave encouraging signs. Despite it being the first season of collaboration between RBPT and Ford, no major issues arose: consistent straight-line speed, smooth energy management, and a powerful, reliable engine.
Max Verstappen completed a good number of laps without problems, providing valuable data for the team ahead of the opening Grand Prix. Overall, the impression is of a package that is not only fast, but solid, ready for further development during the season. Jos Verstappen, interviewed by Belgian broadcaster RTBF, commented with cautious optimism: “You never really know. Obviously, you never see what’s really behind the tests, but I have to say I’m happy with what’s happening.”
On the engine, he added: “Especially if we look at the Power Unit. It’s powerful and reliable. At the first race, we’ll really see where it stands.” Finally, the former F1 driver concluded: “We’re satisfied. There are small issues, but that’s normal. There are always adjustments to make, but for now it’s working really well. It’s covering a lot of mileage, so it’s promising.”
The 2026 pre-season has shown that Red Bull has built a platform capable of challenging at the front, regardless of the strategic games played by their rivals. While the team remains cautious, the data suggests that the RB22 is a significant step forward, promising a much more competitive start to the championship than in previous years.
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