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Max Verstappen has admitted he will need "time to adjust" to Red Bull's revamped car as he bids to reclaim his World Championship crown in 2026. The Dutchman's quest for a fifth consecutive title was ended at last year's Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi, where Lando Norris topped the Drivers' Standings.

But Verstappen's hopes of bouncing back this season could be hindered by significant modifications to the car he's grown accustomed to. Looking ahead to 2026, Red Bull have developed their own power units in partnership with Ford.

Speaking at a launch event in Detroit, Verstappen explained the adjustment period ahead. He said: "It's all still a bit unknown.

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"It's a very big change with the engine, the dimension of the car has changed. For the drivers, it will take a bit of time to adjust and that's why it's very important during the test days that we are getting our laps in."

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies also conceded there will be hurdles to overcome with the new power unit. He added: "It's going to be the biggest change of regulations in Formula 1 history, but that was not enough.

"We decided to do our own power unit with our strategic partner Ford. It's a crazy challenge. It's going to be a year full of challenges. We are not naive. We know it is going to come with a certain amount of struggle. We know it is going to come with difficulties."

Red Bull Ford's powertrains technical director Ben Hodgkinson has outlined why the team has undertaken extensive preparations to remain competitive against rival teams who are also making significant progress, reports the Express.

The veteran engineer said: "I've been doing this for 27 years so everything I do has got to be backed up by the belief I can do it. I don't think you belong in this industry if you don't believe that.

"I also, it's almost part of my own personal ethos, but I think that if you show me a confident engineer I'll show you one that's about to lose. So you can never underestimate where everybody is.

"You always have to assume you're behind so that you always push the absolute maximum. What am I confident about?

"I'm confident that the team I've built is incredible. I'm confident the facilities we put together are going to be benchmark. But we're a newcomer.

"We had to build factories while people started developing engines so I think we started behind. But I think the people and the facilities we've got are better than everybody else. So watch this space. Will I overtake them by race one? I don't know. We'll have to wait and see."

Pre-season testing kicks off in Bahrain next month, with the 2026 season opening at the Australian Grand Prix on March 8.