MAX VERSTAPPEN WARNS OF "HEAVY GARAGE TIME" AHEAD OF BARCELONA 2026 TESTING
Max Verstappen predicts 2026 testing will be a "garage session" as Red Bull Ford faces its first reliability hurdles. Read more.
For the past decade or so, Formula 1 teams haven’t really worried about reliability. They had the last set of rules pretty much figured out.
But 2026 changes everything. The new engine rules shake things up, and honestly, this is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing pre-seasons we’ve seen in a long time.
Red Bull, for one, has plenty on its plate. They’re running a brand-new engine, and there’s a lot to sort out.
If that engine doesn’t perform, you can bet Max Verstappen will start weighing his options. He’s all about winning, and these 2026 rule changes are the biggest threat to his run with Red Bull since he joined.
Fans said the same about Racing Bulls’ car when it first hit the track at Imola in the rain. Liam Lawson was out there collecting Red Bull’s first real data in a private session, but things didn’t go as smoothly as anyone hoped.
Verstappen called it—more time in the garages. Racing Bulls ended up stuck after just one lap, tinkering with the car for a while before they could finish their 15 km shakedown.
Ford’s helping Red Bull out by speeding up production and keeping things simple—no juggling multiple teams or setups. Still, that first day with the new engine was rough.
Verstappen actually predicted this at the Red Bull launch in Detroit last week. He figured testing would mean more time in the garage than on the track. “I think during the first tests in Barcelona starting on 26 January, we’ll be spending more time in the garages than out on the track,” he said. None of us has any idea about the new car or the engine. Hopefully, we’ll all be a bit wiser after the two tests in Bahrain in February.”
So, when was the last time reliability was a real issue in pre-season testing? Fans should probably buckle up for 2026, because those problems are coming back. The championship’s been almost too reliable and predictable lately.
A little drama makes things more interesting. It puts the pressure back on teams to develop and adapt.
Remember 2014? Some teams could barely keep their cars running with the new 1.6-litre V6 engines, and most people weren’t huge fans of those changes either. The cars got quieter, and the tech took a big leap forward. This time, though, the changes aren’t quite as massive, so the adjustment shouldn’t hit as hard.
GEORGE RUSSELL ADMITS ANTONELLI IS "EXCEPTIONALLY QUICK" BUT REFUSES TO CONCEDE TITLE
Kimi Antonelli secured his 3rd straight F1 win in Miami, leaving George Russell 43 seconds behind and 20 points down in the title race. (130 chars)
George Russell isn’t flinching. He’s not ready to let go of the story, even as Kimi Antonelli keeps grabbing headlines. Antonelli’s been tearing it up this season – three straight wins, all from pole – and it’s got people talking. Miami was rough for Russell; he finished fourth, over 43 seconds behind Antonelli. That gap isn’t just big; it’s glaring, and it’s putting some real heat on their rivalry at Mercedes.
Russell isn’t pretending things are fine, but he’s not throwing in the towel either. He gets what Antonelli’s doing and gives props where they’re deserved. “He’s a fantastic driver, and he’s been fast since day one,” Russell said. “You don’t win all those championships as a kid if you’re not quick.” He means it, but he’s also drawing a boundary. Russell still believes in himself, and he’s not giving up on the championship.
“I’ve still got confidence in myself, and I haven’t forgotten how to drive,” he said with a little smile. “It’s just a tricky patch, but we’re only four races in; there’s a lot more to come. We’ll sort things out over the next few weeks.”
That “tricky patch” doesn’t just mean some tough luck; it includes a 20-point deficit and a teammate who won’t stop rewriting history. Antonelli’s winning streak has changed the vibe at Mercedes, at least for now.
Russell knows all about momentum and how it doesn’t always stick around. “He’s got momentum right now; he’s flying,” Russell admitted. “But I’ve won championships myself, and I know momentum swings back and forth all year.” He actually doesn’t seem bothered by the points gap. “Honestly, I’m not even thinking about it,” he said.
It’s a calm answer from a guy who’s been here before, leaning on experience while Antonelli rides his hot streak. Russell keeps saying 'big picture, patience, not panic'.
“I just want to get back on top of the podium,” he said. “I had the pace for the first three races, but this weekend I was nowhere close. It could have gone very differently these last few weeks, and this weekend could’ve just been a blip. But some races in Japan and China didn’t go my way. That’s how F1 goes sometimes.”
Still, confidence doesn’t erase a 20-point gap, not if Antonelli keeps cruising. If Antonelli keeps piling up wins, Russell’s going to have to fight more than just the stopwatch. Losing to your teammate over and over starts to mess with your head. Russell began the season as the guy to beat, but the longer this keeps up, the tougher it gets to grab hold of the story again.
He’s holding firm, for now. But F1 doesn’t wait for anyone. What does Russell call “just a tricky run”? Well, if momentum doesn’t swing his way soon, it could become a whole lot more than that.
MAX VERSTAPPEN TAKES FRONT ROW IN MIAMI AS RED BULL UPGRADES DELIVER IMMEDIATE RESULTS
Charles Leclerc admitted surprise at Red Bull's pace after Max Verstappen finished P2, just 0.166s behind Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli.
Charles Leclerc expected Red Bull to bounce back, but he couldn’t help admiring Max Verstappen’s raw speed at the Miami Grand Prix.
Red Bull rolled into Miami with a big upgrade, looking to recover after a rough start to the season. Verstappen, a four-time world champ, landed his Red Bull in second during qualifying. He was only 0.166 seconds behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes, nearly snatching pole. After qualifying, Verstappen said he finally feels like he’s back in control of his car.
Leclerc was impressed by the turnaround. “Honestly, it’s not shocking to see Kimi up there. Mercedes has been the quickest team this year, and Kimi’s been amazing these last few races,” Leclerc said. “But Max and Red Bull are coming back like this? That’s a bit more surprising. The upgrades clearly worked, and you can’t forget how strong that team really is. You never expect them to just sit back and accept a slow start.”
He added, “We figured they’d come back swinging, but to see them right back on the front row after struggling at the start… that’s something else. It’s pretty remarkable. Still, my job’s the same: beat those guys. That’s where my head’s at right now.”
Leclerc had to settle for third on the grid for Sunday’s race. Ferrari looked strong early in qualifying, but their hopes faded by Q3.
He talked about the changing conditions, but didn’t think that’s what hurt Ferrari. “The wind definitely played a part, but track temperature wasn’t all that different, so I don’t think that’s the reason,” he said. “Maybe the track changed, and we didn’t see it coming, or maybe pushing harder today in qualifying just made our car’s weak spots stand out more.”
Leclerc admitted he hadn’t dug into the numbers yet; he’d just gotten out of the car. “We’ll have to check the details to figure out exactly where we lost time.”
