Formula 1 drivers remain uncertain about 2026 engine plans, with teams secretive and development progress uneven across the grid this season.
Formula 1 drivers were questioned about their teams’ work for 2026.
Max Verstappen, under contract with Red Bull and set to debut the Red Bull Powertrains-Ford engine next year, responded with irony.
“These last few days, I was still at the factory designing the piston. So yes, I think we’ve found a good compromise. Now, I think it’s going to be a rocket. So we’re ready!” Verstappen joked, before acknowledging the uncertainty.
“Honestly, I think no one – of course, you can always be very confident in what you’re doing, but in the end, it doesn’t matter. What matters is what you actually achieve next year. We’ll see. Time will tell.”
Alex Albon does not know what Mercedes is doing for 2026, but he is pleased with Williams’ efforts: “I think if we’re not a works team, we’re even further removed from the engine than a team like Red Bull.”
“But at the same time, in the end, we’re more focused on our car. We’re more concentrated on that – trying to design the best car possible. The engine is the engine. It’s almost the second phase of the design, yes. From what I understand, we more or less know what the car’s geometry will be. But that’s about it.”
The Thai driver admits that development for 2026 is not yet a top priority in his factory work: “We’ve only scratched the surface recently, and we’ll definitely ramp it up as the season progresses.”
“For now, I think it’s also because we’ve had a good start to the year that we’re focusing a bit more on preparing for the race weekends themselves. The time we spend on the simulator is very valuable, and so far, we’ve been directing it a bit more toward this year for the time being.”
Gabriel Bortoleto, who will drive for Audi next year, is also uncertain: “I think it’s hard to know at this stage. It’s a bit too early, even compared to other teams. Sometimes I try to ask Max, but he never tells me where they are with the engine and the car.”
Verstappen then replied, humorously assuring that he could help if he had more information about the Audi F1 project’s progress: “If you tell me what you’re doing, I might be able to tell you a bit of what I’m doing.”
The Brazilian believes, however, that he is more in the dark than the Dutchman at Red Bull: “But I think we’re in a different situation right now. You can help me more than I can help you.”
The four-time world champion then proposed a deal with a somewhat sharp tone and humor: “I’ll help you with simulator driving. I do a reference lap, and then you spend a hundred laps trying to beat it, and then we move on.”
Bortoleto chose to conclude with humor and focus on the work ahead: “That’s not true. I wouldn’t spend a hundred laps, only fifty! Anyway, I think we’re just at the beginning. Some simulator drivers have already been doing work in the sim for a while.”
“But we’re still focused on 2025 and trying to improve our car a bit for now. I think it won’t be long before Nico and I start working properly for 2026 in the simulation and understand where we stand.”
