Max Verstappen has made a worrying prediction about the first F1 2026 pre-season test.<\/p>\n
In preparation for F1\u2019s sweeping regulation changes in 2026, all 11 teams will get the chance to conduct a maximum of three days of running between January 26-30 in a behind-closed doors test at Barcelona.<\/p>\n
The first test is effectively a shakedown to enable teams to troubleshoot their new cars before moving to Bahrain in mid-February for two official pre-season tests that will be televised.<\/p>\n
Amid much uncertainty and fears of reliability problems at the start of F1\u2019s new rules era, Verstappen<\/a>, whose Red Bull team will run their own in-house power unit for the first time, is not expecting much on-track action.<\/p>\n \u201cNone of us have any idea about the new car or the engine,\u201d the four-time world champion told Blick.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n \u201cI think that during the first tests in Barcelona starting on 26 January, we\u2019ll be spending more time in the garages than out on the track.<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully, we\u2019ll all be a bit wiser after the two tests in Bahrain in February.\u201d<\/p>\n Verstappen heads into the new season aiming to win back his crown after narrowly being beaten to the drivers\u2019 world championship last year by McLaren\u2019s Lando Norris<\/a>.<\/p>\n Norris\u2019s maiden title triumph ended the Dutchman\u2019s four-year reign at the top of F1.<\/p>\n Verstappen has switched his driver number for the 2026 season and will use Daniel Ricciardo\u2019s former number<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n He will have a new teammate in Isack Hadjar<\/a>, who replaced the underperforming Yuki Tsunoda<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n