Article by Daniel Grigore – Published Saturday, January 24, 2026 21:19 / Updated Saturday, January 24, 2026 22:14
Max Verstappen (28), between 2021 and 2024 world champion in Formula 1, feels that a key factor of the new season in F1, the first of this new era of the competition, will be marked by the ability of the drivers to “adapt quickly” to the new cars, which are shorter, narrower and more agile.
This year, Formula 1 implements the most extensive regulation change, which includes power units with a 50/50 power distribution between internal combustion engine and electric power.
These changes force all teams to start from scratch in terms of both chassis and powertrain. Red Bull Racing, for example, has become a factory team and will use its own engine, developed in collaboration with Ford, for the first time.
Basically, the 22 drivers have to get used to completely new systems, not only from the perspective of handling the car, but also in terms of energy and battery management.
Max Verstappen and a key element in the new era of Formula 1
Asked how the new rules could benefit him, Verstappen told Bloomberg: “Honestly, I have no idea.”
“I haven't even done that many laps in the simulator. So for me, I'll just see what happens when I get in the car.
I think what it is always very important for a pilot to be able to adapt quickly to the situation you're in, whether it's an existing car you've known for a long time or a brand new one.
You simply have to be able to adapt quickly, to learn quickly, because cars will also develop very quickly, I think. But, yes, honestly, I'm not too worried about it,” added the Dutchman, quoted by sportal.bg.
