Overview
- In a new interview, Max Verstappen said he intends to fulfill his contract through 2028 and currently rules out changing teams.
- SPORT BILD and previously The Times report, without team confirmation, that his deal includes a performance-based option to leave if he is outside the top two by the 2026 summer break, with a tighter 2027 trigger if he is not leading then.
- Red Bull presents its new car in Detroit before private testing in Barcelona from 26 January and public sessions in Bahrain in February, which will provide the first performance indicators.
- The program features Red Bull’s first self-built F1 power unit developed with Ford, and Ford’s Mark Rushbrook says internal targets are being met and the intent is to win from the outset.
- Team dynamics have shifted after Helmut Marko’s retirement and Christian Horner’s earlier exit, with Laurent Mekies leading, Pierre Waché heading technical operations, and Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase reported to be contracted through 2027.