Max Verstappen is ready for the new Formula 1 season. The Dutchman is looking forward to racing again this coming weekend in Australia, where the RB22 also awaits its baptism of fire. Verstappen labels the moment the 2026 Red Bull car races for the first time as the ‘real test’ for the brand-new challenger. Especially since the Austrian team is also bringing its own developed power unit to the grid for the first time this year.
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The new Formula 1 season traditionally begins in Australia again this year. Max Verstappen won the race at the Albert Park Circuit for the first and last time in 2023. Whether the Dutchman can repeat that trick this weekend remains to be seen. Even after the test days in Bahrain, there is still much uncertainty about which team has done its homework best for the upcoming season and what the exact pecking order will be for 2026.
Verstappen, however, is mainly looking forward to racing again after the winter break. “It’s great to be back on track and starting the season. It felt like a long lead-up to this moment and it’s nice to finally be able to race again,” said the world champion in the official press release.
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Goosebumps
This season, both the chassis and engine regulations are being completely overhauled. In addition, Red Bull had the extra challenge of developing an engine internally for the first time. For Verstappen, it was a goosebumps moment when the RB22 with the Red Bull Powertrains power unit drove around in Bahrain. “It was impressive to see the car with our own power unit complete so many laps in Bahrain: there were many proud faces when the car took to the track for the first time and the team did a fantastic job,” Verstappen reflects. “We drove a lot in the simulator, so when the car was finally ready to hit the track, I got goosebumps.”
However, the Dutch driver doesn’t want to celebrate too early. “Now comes the real test. I don’t know how it will all go in Melbourne, but we have learned a lot and worked hard to optimize the car as much as possible,” Verstappen continues. “I obviously have many great memories of this Grand Prix, especially of my very first Formula 1 race (in 2015, ed.) here. But this year will be a particularly exciting challenge and I look forward to seeing how it goes.”
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Read everything about the Australian GP here
