Max Verstappen has opened up about the progress Red Bull Powertrains and Ford are making on the development of their new power unit for 2026 and the appeal of endurance racing as a realistic career alternative to F1.
In February 2023, Ford announced that they were embarking on a “long-term strategic technical partnership” with Red Bull Powertrains, ahead of the sport’s new engine regulations that are coming into play in 2026.
Marking their return to Formula 1 after more than two decades, the American multinational automaker will supply next-gen hybrid power units to both Red Bull Racing and their sister team Racing Bulls from 2026 until at least 2030.
Meanwhile, recent Endurance news has captured the attention of the wider F1 community, with the Red Bull driver finally venturing into this demanding motorsport category. After having openly expressed a strong desire for participating in endurance racing for years, Verstappen completed a Nürburgring test under the pseudonym Franz Hermann back in May.
Fresh off the back of his thrilling Italian GP victory, the Dutchman also secured the coveted DMSB Permit A after a complicated day on the Nordschleife. Granted on September 13, this permit makes him eligible to race GT3 cars and compete at the top level of the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
In fact, the four-time F1 world champion will make his GT3 race debut at the Nordschleife this weekend in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS). Driving a Ferrari 296 GT3 for Emil Frey Racing, he will partner with Chris Lulham for the four-hour race on Saturday.
Verstappen cautiously optimistic about new power unit
Speaking in a print media session ahead of the Azerbaijan GP, Max Verstappen touched on his recent visit to the Red Bull Powertrains facility and admitted that the scale of the operation impressed him.
In terms of how the new Red Bull Ford power unit is coming along, Verstappen’s optimism was somewhat tempered. With the 2026 regulations featuring increased battery power and an even split between internal combustion engine and electric power, the 27-year-old conceded that it’s quite challenging to get on top of the new rules as a first-time engine manufacturer.
“Yeah, luckily it’s next door to where I normally walk in. But I didn’t walk in there for quite a few weeks, so it’s nice to just catch up with people. Also, show your face, right?
“I mean, the facility is great. They have all the tools that they need, which it’s always very impressive to see how they’re operating and how clean everything is. So it was good to catch up with some of the people there that you’ve spoken to already before, giving you a bit of an update.
“Of course, we know that it’s a big mountain to climb. You know, it’s a very tricky formula in general. But it’s always good to see the latest and how everything is coming together. Because, in six, seven months it’s all starting, you know, so it’s not that long anymore.”
Junior drivers should keep options open
Asked what advice he would give to young drivers who insist on following the single-seater route, Max Verstappen stated that open-mindedness is crucial to surviving in this cutthroat sport. Reflecting on the drawbacks of the conventional feeder series ladder and how many promising talents fail to step up to F1, the reigning world champion urged them to keep alternative career paths open.
“Well, it all depends on your own mindset as a driver. Because if your mindset is set on Formula 1, and you do not want to change that perception, then you’re talking to a wall, right?
“Sometimes with some of the drivers that I’m close to, they all dream of Formula 1. I also always advise that keep the options open just in case it doesn’t work out, because not everyone always gets the opportunity, even though you might be good enough.”
Endurance racing a strong alternative to F1
Acknowledging the dilemma that many up-and-coming talents face when it comes to giving up on their dream of reaching the pinnacle of motorsport, Max Verstappen noted how perilous it can be to chase F1 as their only goal.
While he admitted that convincing the single-minded drivers to broaden their horizons can be cumbersome at times, the Dutchman also emphasised how diverse endurance racing categories can offer many rewarding opportunities. Furthermore, the 27-year-old reckoned that those young talents might embrace the alternative and thrive once they come to terms with the fact that the road to F1 is a dead end.
“And I also think that with endurance racing, there are a lot of opportunities to have a good career, and just to stare blindly on Formula 1 only sometimes can be a danger as well. But I also know that a lot of drivers dream of being here, so it’s not easy to give up that dream as well.
“But I always feel that once a driver, let’s say, they start realising, I might not make it, and they start trying a GT3 car or whatever, a hypercar, they fall in love with it as well.
“Maybe sometimes it just takes a bit more time to convince them to not only stare on Formula 1. And like I said, it all depends on the driver’s mindset as well, to be open-minded.”
