P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Why Verstappen has major 2026 advantage
Red Bull has acknowledged the challenges they face in the 2026 F1 season but remain confident in Max Verstappen’s abilities as their key asset.
In a bold move, Red Bull has taken on the challenge of designing their own power units for the upcoming season, in addition to the regulations reset.
With the introduction of the DM01 power unit, Red Bull aims to compete with longstanding manufacturers like Ferrari and Mercedes, who have been supplying engines for decades.
Despite concerns about facing established manufacturers, Red Bull’s team principal Laurent Mekies is optimistic about Verstappen’s ability to excel under the new regulations, especially with the inclusion of active aerodynamics.
Mekies highlighted Verstappen’s high level of involvement, his adeptness in handling complex situations in the car, and his ability to push the team in the right direction for achieving success in the 2026 season.
