Max Verstappen has reassured that there is “no need to panic” regarding Red Bull’s plan to build its own engines together with Ford after rumors suggested the project is behind schedule.
Starting in 2026, the new Formula 1 engines will be easier to design and build thanks to the elimination of the MGU-H component. With the new regulations, the Milton Keynes-outfit will start building its own engines collaborating with Ford, and producing them for the RB F1 Team, as well.
Rumors suggested that Red Bull was a bit behind schedule, but with almost still two years to go before the new 2026 rules come into force, Verstappen doesn’t see why he should be worried.
“If I have to speculate about everything… I might be worried if I’m still alive tomorrow, right? I don’t really worry about that too much,” Verstappen said.
“Of course, I am in close contact with Christian [Horner] about that and the people working there.
“Everyone’s working flat out, so there is no need to panic about that. It’s still not 2026.”
Verstappen added that he knows the competition is going to be hard to beat, but he fully trusts his team, and he is excited about the new project.
“We know that it is a very big task, we don’t take that lightly,” Verstappen added.
“And with so many well-established engine manufacturers, we also don’t think it’s going to be easy to beat them.
“But we have a lot of good people working on the project, and we’re very excited about it. So time will tell, of course, where it’s going to be.”