\u201cI feel a bit sick. I hope that I will be fully fit again at the start of the season,\u201d Verstappen said. \u201cShould be.\u201d<\/p>\n
The admission follows a run of recent health concerns. Verstappen missed the FIA prize-giving gala late last year citing illness \u2013 a claim that raised eyebrows at the time \u2013 and around the same period spoke about worrying scans related to back problems caused by the severe bouncing of the previous generation of cars.<\/p>\n
Despite that, Verstappen struck a cautiously positive tone about Red Bull\u2019s first real running with its own power unit project.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that we were able to drive so much with a new engine this week is generally positive,\u201d said the 28-year-old. \u201cIt\u2019s a good start, but it\u2019s also still very early in the year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Red Bull completed limited dry running, with Verstappen spending much of the week in wet conditions. Still, reliability from the new Red Bull-Ford package quietly impressed rivals.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe learned a lot, after I haven\u2019t been able to drive very much the first morning,\u201d Verstappen added. \u201cWe will now analyze all the data. Obviously we still want to do a lot of things better, but that\u2019s normal.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/barcelona-test-verstappen-stare.jpg\")
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on in the garage during day two of F1 Shakedown at Circuit de Catalunya on January 27, 2026 in Montmelo, Spain. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli\/Getty Images) \/\/ Getty Images for Red Bull<\/p>\n
The lap times from Barcelona \u2013 unofficial and largely meaningless \u2013 nevertheless offered a first hint of the competitive picture. Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren looked quickest, with Ferrari\u2019s Lewis Hamilton ultimately setting the fastest time of the week.<\/p>\n