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Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
‘I'm very open-minded' – Max Verstappen hints at 2026 plans amid speculation he will quit Red Bull for Mercedes
Red Bull will enter a new era in a new technical partnership MAX RELAX 'I'm very open-minded' – Max Verstappen hints at 2026 plans amid speculation he will quit Red Bull for Mercedes Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MAX VERSTAPPEN revealed he is "very open-minded" about Formula One's massive regulation reset next season. Teams are now solely focusing on the biggest regulation change in F1 history with nearly every technical classification being ripped up. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Max Verstappen revealed he is 'open-minded' about next season's regulation changes Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The last big reset happened after Verstappen pipped Lewis Hamilton to the 2021 world title in the most dramatic season finale of all time. And Red Bull came out best again, rising from the ashes of the controversy to replace Mercedes as the team to beat in the Constructors championship. The new and bigger changes are set to establish a brand new pecking order with the rumour mill predicting Mercedes could regain their old supremacy in 2026. For Verstappen and Red Bull, the new package creates a chance to re-establish itself as the benchmark in F1 after being dethroned by McLaren this time last year. READ MORE F1 NEWS TAKING THE MICK Michael Schumacher's son Mick in talks over 'incredible' F1 return There has been speculation that Verstappen could defect to Mercedes, with team principal Toto Wolff confirming that talks had gone on behind closed doors. But Verstappen remained coy when asked about his plans for next season, insisting that he'll "figure it out" no matter the team. The four time world champion told RacingNews365: "I'm in the middle. Maybe it'll be good, maybe it'll be bad – we'll see. "I'm very open-minded, honestly. I don't even think about it too much – I'm just enjoying the moment. 4 Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is reportedly readying a scoop for Verstappen Credit: PA CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "When I sit in the car next year, we'll figure it out. I'm not making the rules anyway. "Even if I have my concerns, it's not going to change anything. Glamorous TikToker Bianca Bustamante gives behind-the-scenes look at a Formula E race week "So I'll just jump in and drive it, and then we'll, along the way, get better at it, understand it better, like any regulation in the past. "You keep optimising, keep improving, and then just go from there, really." Mercedes are yet to offer No1 driver George Russell, 27, a new contract to his deal that expires at the end of the season, but the Brit could yet stay to maybe partner Verstappen in 2026. Red Bull will enter a new era in a technical partnership with Ford as they build their own Red Bull Powertrains engine. 4 The Milton-Keynes based outfit sensationally sacked boss Christian Horner after 20 years in charge last week. Laurent Mekies has been appointed as the new CEO, stepping up from the Racing Bulls team. Drivers are currently enjoying a mini summer break, with the next race due to commence in Belgium on July 27. Verstappen currently sits 69 points behind Drivers Championship leader Oscar Piastri, who only sits eight points above team-mate Lando Norris.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Red Bull on 2026 F1 engines: 'Embarrassing for Mercedes if we were ahead'
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has acknowledged the 2026 Formula 1 season could be challenging for the squad, but says Red Bull's in-house engine programme will pay off as it aims to keep Max Verstappen. Verstappen's future has been the subject of plenty of speculation despite his 2028 Red Bull contract, with the Dutchman's camp having had renewed conversations with Mercedes on the future. It still looks likely the four-time world champion will stay put for 2026, but he would then be able to observe which manufacturer has taken the best start with the new power units before weighing up his options for 2027 and beyond. Advertisement There is still no indication that Verstappen himself is keen to leave Red Bull, but his hand might be forced if the squad is out of shape under the new regulations, with Red Bull ambitiously bringing its engine programme in-house at Red Bull Powertrains, backed by Ford. Horner is well aware that getting it right for 2026 is a huge challenge for the squad, and suggested it would be a black eye for the team's competition if its engine start-up were ahead of the likes of Mercedes. "We understand the pressure that there is next year, with us coming in as a new power unit manufacturer," he said. "The challenge of that is enormous. But we've got a hugely capable group of people. We've invested significantly. We've got a great culture within the team. Who knows? "To expect us to be ahead of Mercedes next year is… It would be embarrassing for Mercedes if we were, or for any manufacturer. But I think we're going to be in a competitive position, potentially even to where we are today relative to our other PU manufacturers. There's everything to play for." Advertisement In-house engines "100% the right thing" Red Bull Ford Powertrains Red Bull Ford Powertrains Discussions are still ongoing to flesh out catch-up mechanisms in the regulations and ensure big differences between engine manufacturers aren't being baked in from the start of the rules cycle, for example by providing extra power-unit cost-cap headroom and more dyno time for those who are demonstrably behind. Meanwhile, Horner is still convinced the huge investment in becoming a power unit manufacturer will be worth it on the long term, even though Red Bull it might need time to get up to par with rivals. "What's great is having it all under one roof, chassis engineers sitting next to engine engineers. That shouldn't be underestimated when you're talking about the packaging," he explained. "When you've got the ability to have those groups communicating and talking with each other directly over a cup of coffee and within the same facility, that is priceless, and that will pay dividends. Advertisement "Maybe it won't be in '26, but '27, '28, and beyond, long-term for Red Bull, 100% it is the right thing." Photos from British GP - Practice Carlos Sainz, Williams Carlos Sainz, Williams Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Keanu Reeves arrives in the Paddock Keanu Reeves arrives in the Paddock Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Advertisement Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Alexander Albon, Williams Alexander Albon, Williams Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Franco Colapinto, Alpine Franco Colapinto, Alpine Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber Colin McMaster Alexander Albon, Williams Alexander Albon, Williams Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Carlos Sainz Sr Carlos Sainz Sr Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Guests wait by the Paddock entry Guests wait by the Paddock entry Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Colin McMaster Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images George Russell, Mercedes George Russell, Mercedes Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images Advertisement George Russell, Mercedes George Russell, Mercedes Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images Gordon Ramsay meets some fans. Gordon Ramsay meets some fans. Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Read Also: Christian Horner shuts down 'noise' over Max Verstappen's Red Bull F1 future To read more articles visit our website.
