Max Verstappen Unfazed By Red Bull Pace Concerns After Bahrain Testing

The pre-season testing for the 2026 season has brought up many shocking things to light. The cars are seemingly complex, and the electrification of the power unit isn’t as good as Formula 1 wanted it to be. Max Verstappen, who hasn’t remained quiet on the negatives of the new regulations, now claims that he isn’t fazed by the initial concerns as the season hasn’t even begun yet.

Red Bull appeared at the private testing in Barcelona with some decent results. The team will develop its own power units for the first time in Formula 1, in a collaboration with Ford. Despite a positive outing in the initial session, the pre-season test remained insignificant for the team. Max Verstappen even criticized the sport, claiming that it felt like “Formula E on steroids.”

Now, Max Verstappen has managed expectations leading up to the 2026 season and has raised a ‘no idea’ comment on Red Bull’s potential over the year. Moreover, Verstappen isn’t worried about the team’s initial difficulties either. The Dutchman asserted that the first race of the season in Australia will be a true revelation of what to expect for the remainder of the season.

No idea. No, I’m not really very worried about that either. We’ll see in Melbourne.

Max Verstappen told Viaplay.

Max Verstappen revealed that the only positive to look forward to over the season was the fact that Red Bull was able to drive so many laps without any issues. Apart from this, none of the teams were fully pushing on track or bringing their fastest package yet. As such, Verstappen reckons that it would be futile to ponder over which team came up with the fastest speed over the initial testing sessions.

It is positive in the sense that we can just drive a lot of laps without any problems. As for how fast we’re going… You know, not everybody is driving full speed yet. You don’t know, so you really can’t gauge that.

Max Verstappen added.

Max Verstappen claims people making 2026 F1 regulations “more exciting than it is”

The 2026 F1 regulations have received some mixed opinions from the drivers, as the likes of Lando Norris and George Russell are looking forward to the challenge. However, Max Verstappen truly believes that people are trying to make a much bigger issue out of the regulations than they actually are.

Max Verstappen did not hesitate to claim that if it were up to him, he wouldn’t participate in any of the extra activities apart from driving on track. Verstappen joked that he would finish his work, go home, sleep, and enjoy himself. Subsequently, he would wait for the first race and look at the entire picture clearly. However, people were more concerned about making a big fuss over the entire set of regulations, rather than focusing on the performances.

If it were up to me, I’d just drive my laps and go home and enjoy myself.  Then we’ll wait it out until Melbourne, but of course, everyone always wants to make it more exciting than it is.

Max Verstappen noted.

The 2026 season could be difficult for people to fully grasp. Many teams and drivers are still skeptical about the potential of the upcoming regulations. However, with time, the problems will hopefully sort themselves out and help drivers start performing much better on track. For now, all teams will have to manage expectations and not dream about dominating throughout the season from the get-go.

Read More: Toto Wolff Makes “No-Brainer” Verdict on Nurburgring 24 Hours Schedule Change for Max Verstappen’s

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