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Massa in ominous Verstappen success claim

Will the former championship runner-up prove to be correct?

Former F1 championship runner-up Felipe Massa has backed Max Verstappen to win every title until new engine regulations are introduced. The sport will usher in the new power unit framework in 2026 as it turns further attention towards its sustainability initiatives - the ultimate goal to reach net-zero carbon by 2030. Changes have also seen six manufacturers sign up as suppliers - including returning Honda and newcomer Audi. But until then, F1's regulations are set to remain stagnant and with Red Bull enjoying a 256-point advantage over second-placed Mercedes and Verstappen heading teammate Sergio Perez by 125 points, Massa can see no stopping the Dutchman. "I think until 2026, when we will have the regulation change, Verstappen wins everything," the former Sauber, Ferrari and Williams driver told Marca "We will have equal regulations and Verstappen is superior, Red Bull is superior. So until 2026, we can expect Verstappen to win all the titles."

Red Bull warning

Major regulation changes have historically shuffled the pack in F1, with Brawn GP and Red Bull rising to the top in 2009, Mercedes dominating when the turbo-hybrids were introduced in 2014 and then Ferrari and Red Bull stealing a march on the Silver Arrows last season under the new ground-effect regulations. With this in mind, Massa has warned that sustained success for Red Bull beyond the regulation change will not be certain. "Logically, we have a big change, with everything new and then we have to understand if Red Bull will be the same as today. "But right now I don't see anyone at the same level as Verstappen."

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