{"id":480574,"date":"2026-02-15T00:44:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T00:44:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/480574\/"},"modified":"2026-02-15T00:44:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T00:44:12","slug":"piastri-says-new-f1-cars-complex-as-safety-concerns-loom-before-melbourne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/480574\/","title":{"rendered":"Piastri says new F1 cars \u2018complex\u2019 as safety concerns loom before Melbourne"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

By Andrew Clarke<\/p>\n

Date posted: 15 February 2026<\/p>\n

Oscar Piastri says Formula 1\u2019s new-generation cars are proving more complex than anything he has driven before, as teams scramble to understand performance gaps and iron out safety concerns ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.<\/p>\n

While rival views have ranged from enthusiastic to scathing, with Max Verstappen likening the new machines to \u2018Formula E on steroids\u2019, the McLaren driver offered a measured assessment after pre-season running.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere we are in the pecking order, I don\u2019t know,\u201d Piastri said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it kind of looks like the top four teams are still the top four teams, but I don\u2019t know where exactly we sit in that at the moment. The cars are certainly different, that\u2019s for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Downforce drop reshapes the feel<\/p>\n

Piastri said the low-speed characteristics were relatively familiar, but the high-speed picture had shifted dramatically.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the low speed corners probably feel the same or maybe a little bit nicer, because it\u2019s a little bit lighter,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut obviously the high speed performance in terms of downforce is significantly less than last year. We\u2019ve been learning a lot about how to get the most out of the power units this week.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich is unconventional, definitely, but new challenges for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

The shift to greater energy management and revised power deployment has forced drivers to adapt their instincts, including lifting on straights to harvest energy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019ve kind of driven a certain way for the last 15 years, it\u2019s pretty tough to undo some of those things, especially when some of them are lifting on straights or stuff like that, that obviously as a driver you never want to be lifting at any point,\u201d Piastri said.<\/p>\n

He added that the overall sensation still resembled Formula 1 machinery, albeit a step back from the record-breaking cars of 2025.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it still feels in terms of grip, like an F1 car should.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got a crazy amount of power out of the corners now\u2026 but we also need to remember that the cars we had last year were, at some tracks, the fastest F1 cars ever. So anything that feels worse than that is always going to be not quite as fun at the start.\u201d<\/p>\n

Start procedures under scrutiny<\/p>\n

Beyond performance, Piastri highlighted start procedures as an immediate concern following a practice start incident during testing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the start today was just a mix-up in instructions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut the starts need to be addressed, yes, because probably as we\u2019ve all seen, it\u2019s a pretty complicated process now to have a safe start, let alone a competitive one.\u201d<\/p>\n

With altered downforce levels and different energy deployment strategies, Piastri warned the margins for error had widened significantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe difference between a good and bad start last year was you got a bit of wheelspin or you had a bad reaction time, whereas this year it could be effectively like an F2 race where you almost go into anti-stall or something.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not just losing five metres or so, you could be losing six or seven spots if it goes wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also raised concerns about the combination of reduced downforce and tightly packed fields.<\/p>\n

\u201cA pack of 22 cars with a couple hundred points less downforce sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Piastri said overtaking dynamics would also evolve, with the energy boost system replacing the straightforward advantage previously offered by DRS.<\/p>\n

\u201cDRS was obviously just a pure advantage you used to gain, whereas now with the energy boost you\u2019ve obviously got to harvest that extra energy somehow and then deploy it, which with some of the rules in place is not always that straightforward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite that, he suggested the ability to follow another car remained similar to 2025.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think following is very similar to last year, in all honesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Performance gap could be dramatic<\/p>\n

Asked whether McLaren could challenge for victory if the Australian Grand Prix was held next week, Piastri was cautious.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re certainly not going to come out and have the performance we had in Melbourne last year,\u201d he said, clarifying that he was referring to outright pace rather than results.<\/p>\n

He stressed that the performance spread between teams could hinge on mastering the new systems.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe difference between getting these things right and wrong is not a few hundredths of a second or even a few tenths of a second, it\u2019s a lot. It\u2019s upwards of half a second sometimes if it goes really wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

With another three days of testing still to come, Piastri believes the extra track time is essential, not only for pace but also for operational security.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom just the systems and as a sport, we need the time from a performance point of view. You don\u2019t really need it probably, but there\u2019s so many things just from an even borderline safety point of view that need to be figured out on track that do need addressing still.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark Webber steps back trackside<\/p>\n

Piastri also confirmed that his long-time manager, Mark Webber, will attend fewer races in person this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe won\u2019t be at as many races. I mean, he\u2019s still doing very similar things behind the scenes,\u201d Piastri said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve spoken to him a lot this week still. But yeah, just taking a bit of a step back, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

With Melbourne looming, Piastri\u2019s verdict is neither glowing nor damning. The cars, he says, are not broken, but they are complex. And in a season where half a second could be the difference between front row and midfield, complexity may be the biggest opponent of all.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/a>\"\"\/<\/a>
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\nFormula One, or F1, is the highest class of single-seater auto racing, governed by the F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Internationale de l\\’Automobile (FIA) and is owned by Liberty Media. The name “Formula One” refers to the set of rules or formula that all cars and drivers must comply with.
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\n
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\n
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\n
\nFormula One has also produced some of the greatest drivers and rivalries in the history of motorsport. Some of the most famous names include Juan Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Sebastian Vettel. Some of the most intense battles for the championship have been between Fangio and Stirling Moss in the 1950s, Lauda and James Hunt in the 1970s, Senna and Prost in the late 1980s, Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen in the late 1990s, and Hamilton and Vettel in the 2010s.
\n
\nFormula One is widely regarded as the pinnacle of motorsport, attracting millions of fans and viewers worldwide. The sport is also a huge business, involving billions of dollars in revenue and expenditure. The teams compete for prize money, sponsorship deals, and media rights, while the drivers earn millions of dollars in salaries and endorsements. The sport is also influenced by politics, regulations, and controversies, such as doping scandals, espionage cases, safety issues, and environmental concerns.
\n
\nThe following is a list of all F1 World Drivers Champions by year, from 1950 to 2020:
\n1950-1959
\n1950: Giuseppe Farina (Italy) – Alfa Romeo 158, Alfa Romeo
\n
\n1951: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Alfa Romeo 159, Alfa Romeo
\n
\n1952: Alberto Ascari (Italy) – Ferrari 500, Ferrari
\n
\n1953: Alberto Ascari (Italy) – Ferrari 500, Ferrari
\n
\n1954: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Maserati 250F, Maserati \/ Mercedes-Benz W196, Mercedes-Benz
\n
\n1955: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Mercedes-Benz W196, Mercedes-Benz
\n
\n1956: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Ferrari D50, Ferrari
\n
\n1957: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Maserati 250F, Maserati
\n
\n1958: Mike Hawthorn (United Kingdom) – Ferrari 246, Ferrari
\n
\n1959: Jack Brabham (Australia) – Cooper T51, Cooper-Climax
\n1960-1969
\n1960: Jack Brabham (Australia) – Cooper T53, Cooper-Climax
\n
\n1961: Phil Hill (United States) – Ferrari 156, Ferrari
\n
\n1962: Graham Hill (United Kingdom) – BRM P57, BRM
\n
\n1963: Jim Clark (United Kingdom) – Lotus 25, Lotus-Climax
\n
\n1964: John Surtees (United Kingdom) – Ferrari 158, Ferrari
\n
\n1965: Jim Clark (United Kingdom) – Lotus 33, Lotus-Climax
\n
\n1966: Jack Brabham (Australia) – Brabham BT19, Brabham-Repco
\n
\n1967: Denny Hulme (New Zealand) – Brabham BT20, Brabham-Repco
\n
\n1968: Graham Hill (United Kingdom) – Lotus 49, Lotus-Ford
\n
\n1969: Jackie Stewart (United Kingdom) – Matra MS80, Matra-Ford
\n1970-1979
\n1970: Jochen Rindt (Austria) – Lotus 72, Lotus-Ford
\n
\n1971: Jackie Stewart (United Kingdom) – Tyrrell 003, Tyrrell-Ford
\n
\n1972: Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil) – Lotus 72D, Lotus-Ford
\n
\n1973: Jackie Stewart (United Kingdom) – Tyrrell 006, Tyrrell-Ford
\n
\n1974: Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil) – McLaren M23, McLaren-Ford
\n
\n1975: Niki Lauda (Austria) – Ferrari 312T, Ferrari
\n
\n1976: James Hunt (United Kingdom) – McLaren M23, McLaren-Ford
\n
\n1977: Niki Lauda (Austria) – Ferrari 312T2, Ferrari
\n
\n1978: Mario Andretti (United States) – Lotus 79, Lotus-Ford
\n
\n1979: Jody Scheckter (South Africa) – Ferrari 312T4, Ferrari
\n1980-1989
\n1980: Alan Jones (Australia) – Williams FW07B, Williams-Ford
\n
\n1981: Nelson Piquet (Brazil) – Brabham BT49C, Brabham-Ford
\n
\n1982: Keke Rosberg (Finland) – Williams FW08, Williams-Ford
\n
\n1983: Nelson Piquet (Brazil) – Brabham BT52, Brabham-BMW
\n
\n1984: Niki Lauda (Austria) – McLaren MP4\/2, McLaren-TAG
\n
\n1985: Alain Prost (France) – McLaren MP4\/2B, McLaren-TAG
\n
\n1986: Alain Prost (France) – McLaren MP4\/2C, McLaren-TAG
\n
\n1987: Nelson Piquet (Brazil) – Williams FW11B, Williams-Honda
\n
\n1988: Ayrton Senna (Brazil) – McLaren MP4\/4, McLaren-Honda
\n
\n1989: Alain Prost (France) – McLaren MP4\/5, McLaren-Honda
\n1990-1999
\n1990: Ayrton Senna (Brazil) – McLaren MP4\/5B, McLaren-Honda
\n
\n1991: Ayrton Senna (Brazil) – McLaren MP4\/6, McLaren-Honda
\n
\n1992: Nigel Mansell (United Kingdom) – Williams FW14B, Williams-Renault
\n
\n1993: Alain Prost (France) – Williams FW15C, Williams-Renault
\n
\n1994: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Benetton B194, Benetton-Ford
\n
\n1995: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Benetton B195, Benetton-Renault
\n
\n1996: Damon Hill (United Kingdom) – Williams FW18, Williams-Renault
\n
\n1997: Jacques Villeneuve (Canada) – Williams FW19, Williams-Renault
\n
\n1998: Mika H\u00e4kkinen (Finland) – McLaren MP4\/13, McLaren-Mercedes
\n
\n1999: Mika H\u00e4kkinen (Finland) – McLaren MP4\/14, McLaren-Mercedes
\n2000-2009
\n2000: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F1-2000, Ferrari
\n
\n2001: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2001, Ferrari
\n
\n2002: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2002, Ferrari
\n
\n2003: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2003-GA, Ferrari
\n
\n2004: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2004, Ferrari
\n
\n2005: Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Renault R25, Renault
\n
\n2006: Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Renault R26, Renault
\n
\n2007: Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen (Finland) – Ferrari F2007, Ferrari
\n
\n2008: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – McLaren MP4-23, McLaren-Mercedes
\n
\n2009: Jenson Button (United Kingdom) – Brawn BGP 001, Brawn-Mercedes
\n2010-2020
\n2010: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB6, Red Bull-Renault
\n
\n2011: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB7, Red Bull-Renault
\n
\n2012: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB8, Red Bull-Renault
\n
\n2013: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB9, Red Bull-Renault
\n
\n2014: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W05 Hybrid, Mercedes
\n
\n2015: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W06 Hybrid, Mercedes
\n
\n2016: Nico Rosberg (Germany) – Mercedes F1 W07 Hybrid, Mercedes
\n
\n2017: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W08 EQ Power+, Mercedes
\n
\n2018: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W09 EQ Power+, Mercedes
\n
\n2019: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W10 EQ Power+, Mercedes
\n
\n2020: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W11 EQ Power+, Mercedes
\n2021-
\n2021: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) \u2013 Red Bull RB16B, Honda
\n
\n2022: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) \u2013 Red Bull RB18, Red Bull Power Trains Honda
\n
\n2023: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) \u2013 Red Bull RB19, Red Bull Power Trains Honda
\n
\n2024: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) \u2013 Red Bull RB20, Red Bull Power Trains Honda’,
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\nThe history of Formula One can be traced back to the pre-war Grand Prix racing, which featured open-wheel cars with supercharged engines. The first World Championship of Drivers was organised by the FIA in 1950, following the end of World War II. The first race was held at Silverstone, England, and was won by Giuseppe Farina, driving an Alfa Romeo. The first constructors\\’ championship was introduced in 1958 and was won by Vanwall.
\n
\nFormula One has seen many changes and innovations over the years, both in terms of technology and regulations. Some of the most notable developments include the introduction of rear-engined cars in the late 1950s, the use of aerodynamic wings in the late 1960s, the adoption of turbocharged engines in the late 1970s, the emergence of electronic driver aids in the late 1980s, the switch to V10 and then V8 engines in the 1990s and 2000s, and the introduction of hybrid power units in 2014.
\n
\nFormula One has also produced some of the greatest drivers and rivalries in the history of motorsport. Some of the most famous names include Juan Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Sebastian Vettel. Some of the most intense battles for the championship have been between Fangio and Stirling Moss in the 1950s, Lauda and James Hunt in the 1970s, Senna and Prost in the late 1980s, Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen in the late 1990s, and Hamilton and Vettel in the 2010s.
\n
\nFormula One is widely regarded as the pinnacle of motorsport, attracting millions of fans and viewers worldwide. The sport is also a huge business, involving billions of dollars in revenue and expenditure. The teams compete for prize money, sponsorship deals, and media rights, while the drivers earn millions of dollars in salaries and endorsements. The sport is also influenced by politics, regulations, and controversies, such as doping scandals, espionage cases, safety issues, and environmental concerns.
\n
\nThe following is a list of all F1 World Drivers Champions by year, from 1950 to 2020:
\n1950-1959
\n1950: Giuseppe Farina (Italy) – Alfa Romeo 158, Alfa Romeo
\n
\n1951: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Alfa Romeo 159, Alfa Romeo
\n
\n1952: Alberto Ascari (Italy) – Ferrari 500, Ferrari
\n
\n1953: Alberto Ascari (Italy) – Ferrari 500, Ferrari
\n
\n1954: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Maserati 250F, Maserati \/ Mercedes-Benz W196, Mercedes-Benz
\n
\n1955: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Mercedes-Benz W196, Mercedes-Benz
\n
\n1956: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Ferrari D50, Ferrari
\n
\n1957: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Maserati 250F, Maserati
\n
\n1958: Mike Hawthorn (United Kingdom) – Ferrari 246, Ferrari
\n
\n1959: Jack Brabham (Australia) – Cooper T51, Cooper-Climax
\n1960-1969
\n1960: Jack Brabham (Australia) – Cooper T53, Cooper-Climax
\n
\n1961: Phil Hill (United States) – Ferrari 156, Ferrari
\n
\n1962: Graham Hill (United Kingdom) – BRM P57, BRM
\n
\n1963: Jim Clark (United Kingdom) – Lotus 25, Lotus-Climax
\n
\n1964: John Surtees (United Kingdom) – Ferrari 158, Ferrari
\n
\n1965: Jim Clark (United Kingdom) – Lotus 33, Lotus-Climax
\n
\n1966: Jack Brabham (Australia) – Brabham BT19, Brabham-Repco
\n
\n1967: Denny Hulme (New Zealand) – Brabham BT20, Brabham-Repco
\n
\n1968: Graham Hill (United Kingdom) – Lotus 49, Lotus-Ford
\n
\n1969: Jackie Stewart (United Kingdom) – Matra MS80, Matra-Ford
\n1970-1979
\n1970: Jochen Rindt (Austria) – Lotus 72, Lotus-Ford
\n
\n1971: Jackie Stewart (United Kingdom) – Tyrrell 003, Tyrrell-Ford
\n
\n1972: Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil) – Lotus 72D, Lotus-Ford
\n
\n1973: Jackie Stewart (United Kingdom) – Tyrrell 006, Tyrrell-Ford
\n
\n1974: Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil) – McLaren M23, McLaren-Ford
\n
\n1975: Niki Lauda (Austria) – Ferrari 312T, Ferrari
\n
\n1976: James Hunt (United Kingdom) – McLaren M23, McLaren-Ford
\n
\n1977: Niki Lauda (Austria) – Ferrari 312T2, Ferrari
\n
\n1978: Mario Andretti (United States) – Lotus 79, Lotus-Ford
\n
\n1979: Jody Scheckter (South Africa) – Ferrari 312T4, Ferrari
\n1980-1989
\n1980: Alan Jones (Australia) – Williams FW07B, Williams-Ford
\n
\n1981: Nelson Piquet (Brazil) – Brabham BT49C, Brabham-Ford
\n
\n1982: Keke Rosberg (Finland) – Williams FW08, Williams-Ford
\n
\n1983: Nelson Piquet (Brazil) – Brabham BT52, Brabham-BMW
\n
\n1984: Niki Lauda (Austria) – McLaren MP4\/2, McLaren-TAG
\n
\n1985: Alain Prost (France) – McLaren MP4\/2B, McLaren-TAG
\n
\n1986: Alain Prost (France) – McLaren MP4\/2C, McLaren-TAG
\n
\n1987: Nelson Piquet (Brazil) – Williams FW11B, Williams-Honda
\n
\n1988: Ayrton Senna (Brazil) – McLaren MP4\/4, McLaren-Honda
\n
\n1989: Alain Prost (France) – McLaren MP4\/5, McLaren-Honda
\n1990-1999
\n1990: Ayrton Senna (Brazil) – McLaren MP4\/5B, McLaren-Honda
\n
\n1991: Ayrton Senna (Brazil) – McLaren MP4\/6, McLaren-Honda
\n
\n1992: Nigel Mansell (United Kingdom) – Williams FW14B, Williams-Renault
\n
\n1993: Alain Prost (France) – Williams FW15C, Williams-Renault
\n
\n1994: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Benetton B194, Benetton-Ford
\n
\n1995: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Benetton B195, Benetton-Renault
\n
\n1996: Damon Hill (United Kingdom) – Williams FW18, Williams-Renault
\n
\n1997: Jacques Villeneuve (Canada) – Williams FW19, Williams-Renault
\n
\n1998: Mika H\u00e4kkinen (Finland) – McLaren MP4\/13, McLaren-Mercedes
\n
\n1999: Mika H\u00e4kkinen (Finland) – McLaren MP4\/14, McLaren-Mercedes
\n2000-2009
\n2000: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F1-2000, Ferrari
\n
\n2001: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2001, Ferrari
\n
\n2002: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2002, Ferrari
\n
\n2003: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2003-GA, Ferrari
\n
\n2004: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2004, Ferrari
\n
\n2005: Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Renault R25, Renault
\n
\n2006: Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Renault R26, Renault
\n
\n2007: Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen (Finland) – Ferrari F2007, Ferrari
\n
\n2008: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – McLaren MP4-23, McLaren-Mercedes
\n
\n2009: Jenson Button (United Kingdom) – Brawn BGP 001, Brawn-Mercedes
\n2010-2020
\n2010: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB6, Red Bull-Renault
\n
\n2011: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB7, Red Bull-Renault
\n
\n2012: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB8, Red Bull-Renault
\n
\n2013: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB9, Red Bull-Renault
\n
\n2014: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W05 Hybrid, Mercedes
\n
\n2015: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W06 Hybrid, Mercedes
\n
\n2016: Nico Rosberg (Germany) – Mercedes F1 W07 Hybrid, Mercedes
\n
\n2017: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W08 EQ Power+, Mercedes
\n
\n2018: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W09 EQ Power+, Mercedes
\n
\n2019: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W10 EQ Power+, Mercedes
\n
\n2020: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W11 EQ Power+, Mercedes
\n2021-
\n2021: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) \u2013 Red Bull RB16B, Honda
\n
\n2022: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) \u2013 Red Bull RB18, Red Bull Power Trains Honda
\n
\n2023: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) \u2013 Red Bull RB19, Red Bull Power Trains Honda
\n
\n2024: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) \u2013 Red Bull RB20, Red Bull Power Trains Honda’,
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