Max Verstappen and Red Bull head into 2026 firmly in control of their own destiny for the first time.
Red Bull has made the giant step of becoming a power unit manufacturer for the new technical regulations, with assistance from partner Ford as it powers both the senior and junior teams.
In the Barcelona shakedown, the new in-house Red Bull power unit was reliable, clocking up over 600 laps across both teams, with rivals, including Mercedes' George Russell, regarded as the title favourite, impressed.
For the first time since 2019, Verstappen will be driving a non-Honda-powered car, even if an RBPT badge was slapped on the car after Honda's 2021 withdrawal, although it did quietly return.
But do you think Red Bull's new engine will be enough to carry Verstappen to title glory and wrest his crown back from McLaren's Lando Norris?
Let us know what you think by voting in the poll below and let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes and Nick Golding, as they look back on last week's five-day F1 test in Barcelona. McLaren's upgrade strategy is discussed, as is Aston Martin grabbing much attention with its striking AMR26.
Rather watch the podcast? Then click here!
Most read
In this article
Join the conversation!