Max Verstappen has delivered his first impressions of the noise of the 2026 F1 power units which have been built under a fresh set of technical regulations.
The upcoming season will see the power units undergo their biggest change since the turbo hybrid units were first introduced in 2014.
The changes include the removal of the controversial MGU-H unit and a significant boost in electrical output, creating a 50/50 split with the combustion engine.
With the cars hitting the track in just over one month's time, Verstappen has already had a listen to the new engine, leaving him to deliver a positive verdict.
“It sounded good,” Verstappen told the Talking Bulls podcast.
“Of course, you hear it on the dyno but it sounded crisp. I'm not sure they actually develop on the noise, but it made a good noise.”
Red Bull is building its own power unit for the first time, working in collaboration with American automotive giant Ford.
Verstappen is hoping to enter the year challenging for a fifth F1 title after his narrow title loss to Lando Norris earlier this month.
However, the Dutchman is keen to switch off before the new season rolls around, which will include focus on his GT3 team set-up.
“I'm really looking forward to that, I really need it,” he said.
“And then just making sure that whatever I'm doing next year with the programme, the GT3 stuff, that it's all going work out well and that it's well prepared.
“That's actually what I'm looking forward to, to make sure that it's in a good state.”
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