Four-time world champion Max Verstappen is eager to adapt to Red Bull’s new car as the 2026 Formula One season approaches, a campaign set for major technical changes.

The team unveiled the car’s new livery on Thursday at Detroit’s Michigan Central Station, just under two months before the season opener in Melbourne on March 7.

The 2026 regulations bring significant aerodynamic modifications, lighter and smaller cars, and changes to engines to increase the role of electric power in hybrid units.

“There is a lot of unknown, there are big changes in the engine, in the car,” Verstappen said. “Initially, I’ll take time to adjust during test days. The motivation is very high.”

He added: “It always takes a bit of time to get used to things. You need to understand where the most performance is, get comfortable in the car. Also, with the new engine, that will take a bit of time.”

Red Bull, which previously relied on Honda engines, began developing its own power units in 2023 for the 2026 season in partnership with Ford, which returns to F1 after a 22-year absence.

Verstappen’s streak of four consecutive world titles ended in 2025 when McLaren’s Lando Norris claimed the championship. Despite an inferior car, the Dutch driver mounted a late-season challenge, winning eight races—more than Norris or teammate Oscar Piastri.

In 2026, Verstappen will be joined by French driver Isack Hadjar, promoted to Red Bull’s No. 2 seat after a strong rookie season with Racing Bulls. Hadjar attended Thursday’s event alongside Red Bull sporting director Laurent Mekies, who acknowledged the steep learning curve posed by the new regulations and engine.

“I think it would simply be naive of us to think we could build our engine from scratch and be more competitive right away than teams with 95 years of experience,” Mekies told AFP.