{"id":474850,"date":"2026-02-14T17:12:48","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T17:12:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/474850\/"},"modified":"2026-02-14T17:12:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T17:12:48","slug":"red-bull-cant-make-verstappen-happier-about-2026-f1-cars-but-can-build-him-a-winning-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/474850\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Bull: Can&#8217;t make Verstappen happier about 2026 F1 cars, but can build him a winning one"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Just under a year ago the first rumours emerged that Max Verstappen was actively trying to extract himself from Red Bull, and perhaps Formula 1 entirely.<\/p>\n<p>The team&#8217;s general pattern of underperformance in the first half of the 2024 season left the way open for Verstappen to trigger a performance clause in his contract \u2013 and, more worryingly for Red Bull, he appeared to be losing interest in F1 itself, openly engaging in sim and sportscar races.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>A change of leadership and a competitive turnaround set his head pointing in the right direction once more, but the Austrian outfit will not want that to happen again.<\/p>\n<p>In that context, Verstappen&#8217;s open contempt for the new 2026 rules and the cars they have produced is concerning. Having one of F1&#8217;s most bankable stars, a four-time world champion, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/f1\/news\/max-verstappen-didnt-want-to-drive-2026-car-in-simulator-doesnt-help-me-stay-in-f1\/10797171\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:comparing the product of the new ruleset unfavourably to Formula E;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">comparing the product of the new ruleset unfavourably to Formula E<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/f1\/news\/max-verstappen-demolishes-anti-racing-not-fun-f1-2026-cars\/10797115\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:openly throwing doubt on his future in F1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">openly throwing doubt on his future in F1<\/a>, is embarrassing for the stakeholders and worrying for his employers.<\/p>\n<p>As with last season, the only lever Red Bull can pull is to give Max as fast a car as possible and hope the race wins will flow in sufficient quantity for him to park his reservations. &#8220;It&#8217;s not my goal to make him happy,&#8221; said technical director Pierre Wache when asked what the team can do to make him happier about the present state of affairs.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We can make him happy by winning the race. My job and the job of the team, at my level, is to make sure that we give him the tool that he&#8217;s able to compete at the front. The regulation itself and how the car design is, in terms of how we feel with the car, due to this regulation, is an outside area.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s an FIA discussion and we can participate in that, but the main purpose and the main focus is to make the car better.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Pierre Wache, Technical Director Red Bull Racing<img alt=\"Pierre Wache, Technical Director Red Bull Racing\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"639\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/6616c7a7f1bda0bd724e3bf35415c582.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Pierre Wache, Technical Director Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n<p>So the bottom line according to Wache is that converting Verstappen to the cause of energy management, and of exercising patience with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/f1\/news\/why-high-speed-corners-are-50km-h-slower-with-2026-f1-cars\/10797459\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:cars said to be up to 50km\/h slower through fast corners than previous-generation machinery;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">cars said to be up to 50km\/h slower through fast corners than previous-generation machinery<\/a>, is an FIA job. Perhaps with some assistance from the commercial rights holder, which is understood to be highly agitated by the negative sentiment leaking out of the paddock.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>What lies within Red Bull&#8217;s domain of controllables is the ability to build race-winning cars. But where the RB22 lies in the pecking order is as yet unknown, for it is obvious that all the teams \u2013 with the probable exception of Aston Martin \u2013 have been masking their pace.<\/p>\n<p>So at the moment what we are left with is the punch and counter-punch of certain teams directing attention elsewhere. Mercedes, which has compelling reasons to conceal its potential given the unfolding brouhaha over its power unit, insists Red Bull&#8217;s new in-house engine is a step ahead in terms of sustained energy deployment from one lap to another.<\/p>\n<p>Mercedes&#8217; customers, including reigning champions McLaren, have echoed that sentiment but believes the Brixworth power unit can be developed to offer similar performance. Red Bull has played down suggestions it has the most effective engine, and Verstappen has openly scorned Mercedes&#8217; claims that its compression-ratio trick is only worth one or two brake horsepower.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s difficult to say,&#8221; said Wache when asked where he feels the Red Bull package stands. &#8220;We are not the benchmark for sure. We see clearly the top three teams, Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren are in front of us.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It looks like, from what our analysis is, we are behind. But where we think we are, it&#8217;s difficult to say about the others because the run plan of everybody, the level of fuel they run, the level of power they run, it&#8217;s difficult to say. But it&#8217;s currently our analysis [that Red Bull is the fourth-fastest package] but it could be wrong, to be honest. We don&#8217;t spend too much time on that, we try to focus on how to improve.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Photos from Bahrain Pre-Season Testing &#8211; Day 3Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<img alt=\"Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/b7dfe5eeb4282bb73d938b49597be252.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n<p>Glenn Dunbar \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>Oscar Piastri, McLaren<img alt=\"Oscar Piastri, McLaren\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/43362483e8cb8ed02a3a2736e9065d94.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Oscar Piastri, McLaren<\/p>\n<p>Glenn Dunbar \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<img alt=\"Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/72483380d0f615852850c40f543864fb.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n<p>Mario Renzi \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team<img alt=\"Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/9d325cf338c19cdf487cab3fef37204c.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team<\/p>\n<p>Guido De Bortoli \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<img alt=\"Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/124ccb6142d99a85372be79fd6832f96.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n<p>Mark Thompson \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls<img alt=\"Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/fa3ee5acaeaaeae7709a3b0a50e1ca6a.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls<\/p>\n<p>Peter Fox \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<img alt=\"Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/e3d6cb368994213de5f3174de7485c89.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n<p>Peter Fox \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>George Russell, Mercedes<img alt=\"George Russell, Mercedes\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/11e5990bb7156a17dac47f3ab6dfa2c6.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>George Russell, Mercedes<\/p>\n<p>Peter Fox \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Carlos Sainz, Williams<img alt=\"Carlos Sainz, Williams\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/a75baae129fe0d2d511cf174ba5c882b.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Carlos Sainz, Williams<\/p>\n<p>Sam Bloxham \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<img alt=\"Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/91c85f7a4a060dc430ad53d68e7f3513.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n<p>Mario Renzi \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Franco Colapinto, Alpine<img alt=\"Franco Colapinto, Alpine\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/77a5d9a27c3dacdbf4aaa1f5069b5f32.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Franco Colapinto, Alpine<\/p>\n<p>Mark Sutton \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Charles Leclerc, Ferrari<img alt=\"Charles Leclerc, Ferrari\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/8114f86bc108c7d189b8660b324c4263.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Charles Leclerc, Ferrari<\/p>\n<p>Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team<img alt=\"Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/736b1b0647f85ad0d62713c698161975.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team<\/p>\n<p>Joe Portlock \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<img alt=\"Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/950c6cb2b8dbe84d948f07e559af2bee.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n<p>Joe Portlock \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Oscar Piastri, McLaren<img alt=\"Oscar Piastri, McLaren\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/df87ef807ee5558089ad05e5fb647c34.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Oscar Piastri, McLaren<\/p>\n<p>Joe Portlock \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes<img alt=\"Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ac01b34204e336a209250c08d5b84602.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes<\/p>\n<p>Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>Alexander Albon, Williams<img alt=\"Alexander Albon, Williams\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/3c25cffd2f60671a1093d5acf3390d8e.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Alexander Albon, Williams<\/p>\n<p>Kym Illman \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<img alt=\"Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/394b1c9ad0b2fc7d8cf04b6f0768c7b1.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n<p>Mark Thompson \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<img alt=\"Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/92cee2f56ec94aa7bb0832fec687b2a6.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n<p>Mark Sutton \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team<img alt=\"Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/f444d0b9caf6c2d36641bbc566e67c9b.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team<\/p>\n<p>Andy Hone\/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing<img alt=\"Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/8d3f0e7855256ba1d60ec68d10e4aab6.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing<\/p>\n<p>Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing<img alt=\"Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/cef9d0591c2f48a773d688b2bb5bae5c.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing<\/p>\n<p>Joe Portlock \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing<img alt=\"Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/9724b48ef4a8d7080adf4a54ec1e940a.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing<\/p>\n<p>Sam Bloxham \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team<img alt=\"Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/c69e5d37e0e6e42c8d300f16814aadb0.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team<\/p>\n<p>Mark Sutton \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team<img alt=\"Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/85c7b7948e1a38d4f6e70b18285d7efb.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team<\/p>\n<p>Sam Bloxham \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing<img alt=\"Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/5c4c69834f22c4a2bdd69de86a200a95.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n<p>Sam Bloxham \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing<img alt=\"Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/e405b9fa2d3b60421b932903d0b0c5db.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing<\/p>\n<p>Peter Fox \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Oscar Piastri, McLaren<img alt=\"Oscar Piastri, McLaren\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"639\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/e7cb9123d85e43c74d576c9defa58111.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Oscar Piastri, McLaren<\/p>\n<p>Guido De Bortoli \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<img alt=\"Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/039c5a4df89a52d2909c33d2b0b30daa.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n<p>Joe Portlock \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team<img alt=\"Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bd33a87ee16ae5d2534e53acf1e9c938.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team<\/p>\n<p>Sam Bloxham \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>Franco Colapinto, Alpine<img alt=\"Franco Colapinto, Alpine\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/61575985abfe3d2d542c0d2b95e0c82d.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Franco Colapinto, Alpine<\/p>\n<p>Joe Portlock \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing<img alt=\"Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4567224bc197f8fe8eb73edc7ba01fa7.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing<\/p>\n<p>Glenn Dunbar \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Franco Colapinto, Alpine<img alt=\"Franco Colapinto, Alpine\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/a3e79de21577862e68f70fa527b89046.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Franco Colapinto, Alpine<\/p>\n<p>Mark Sutton \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Carlos Sainz, Williams<img alt=\"Carlos Sainz, Williams\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/a0dee906541c99493342d4b075b5dfa1.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Carlos Sainz, Williams<\/p>\n<p>Mark Sutton \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Franco Colapinto, Alpine<img alt=\"Franco Colapinto, Alpine\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ca0e2fbe1218a198c0e26153a92e1862.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Franco Colapinto, Alpine<\/p>\n<p>Glenn Dunbar \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing<img alt=\"Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/f51d547a3622b81b3cd78b4d0d73e139.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing<\/p>\n<p>Mark Sutton \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>George Russell, Mercedes<img alt=\"George Russell, Mercedes\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/b277cca89e5360176eacfccc83701dc0.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>George Russell, Mercedes<\/p>\n<p>Rudy Carezzevoli \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>Carlos Sainz, Williams<img alt=\"Carlos Sainz, Williams\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/055f3c60392a4b6d7c8c8d57d1ae4e49.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Carlos Sainz, Williams<\/p>\n<p>Glenn Dunbar \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Oscar Piastri, McLaren<img alt=\"Oscar Piastri, McLaren\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/36b1118080fb1a759997610428c845f4.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Oscar Piastri, McLaren<\/p>\n<p>Glenn Dunbar \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<img alt=\"Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/c0f46a6f5d4bee9f775dd1e474182762.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n<p>Mark Sutton \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Franco Colapinto, Alpine<img alt=\"Franco Colapinto, Alpine\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bb4723a5b783821fdb1af083f1fa9286.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Franco Colapinto, Alpine<\/p>\n<p>Joe Portlock \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<img alt=\"Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ba810756a89cf5d21778d85379ebac61.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n<p>Glenn Dunbar \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team<img alt=\"Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/153784607c3c93ad3ed0792fce7aa80e.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team<\/p>\n<p>Ahmad AlShehab \/ NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes<img alt=\"Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"639\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/5d0680b1e036743f0bb3ba94c95dfc95.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes<\/p>\n<p>Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team<img alt=\"Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/42de14c80244d06a6e41135b9634a0a7.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team<\/p>\n<p>Mario Renzi \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari<img alt=\"Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/63389e4f7ab9fb06025cc6064e7ba290.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari<\/p>\n<p>Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing<img alt=\"Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/fc6bd0797e728bad9c65625583ca0e5f.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing<\/p>\n<p>Peter Fox \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<img alt=\"Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/8008a2fbeb177f8c2a9b1cd93791715f.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n<p>Mario Renzi \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Oscar Piastri, McLaren<img alt=\"Oscar Piastri, McLaren\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/511ba6865e71188f243eb99cebc29e60.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Oscar Piastri, McLaren<\/p>\n<p>Glenn Dunbar \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes<img alt=\"Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/d1080928c98d0f6c43df914e0684e81b.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes<\/p>\n<p>Andy Hone\/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team<img alt=\"Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/b4f0dae5ba7005c319e53866f19e0f60.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team<\/p>\n<p>Mario Renzi \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls<img alt=\"Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ed6549a5bdc202dd1a192bbfbb0a5de1.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls<\/p>\n<p>Glenn Dunbar \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Oscar Piastri, McLaren<img alt=\"Oscar Piastri, McLaren\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"639\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/89c28db42f3bf903fe21f5ac50944980.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Oscar Piastri, McLaren<\/p>\n<p>Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team<img alt=\"Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/992649e0415b4e8d54562e7c06d7845b.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team<\/p>\n<p>Mark Sutton \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<img alt=\"Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/047ffd37bb03d6dc75985ee79d70a649.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n<p>Alastair Staley \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<img alt=\"Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/c13809e1a0a55920a7984ef943d36a8c.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n<p>Mark Thompson \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing<img alt=\"Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/8661d6b9b246bc8a6506c169fc1f3b41.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing<\/p>\n<p>Joe Portlock \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<img alt=\"Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/36f6bb54e0dba8628899c99d97c3759b.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n<p>Mario Renzi \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>Read Also:<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/f1\/news\/george-russell-bahrain-f1-test-a-reality-check-for-mercedes-as-red-bull-ahead\/10797521\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"413\" height=\"275\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ec84bdbbca4d62254e9829f6c171bbb4.jpeg\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/f1\/news\/george-russell-bahrain-f1-test-a-reality-check-for-mercedes-as-red-bull-ahead\/10797521\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:George Russell: Bahrain F1 test a &quot;reality check&quot; for Mercedes as Red Bull ahead;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"> George Russell: Bahrain F1 test a &#8220;reality check&#8221; for Mercedes as Red Bull ahead <\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/f1\/news\/mclaren-calls-for-imperative-safety-tweaks-ahead-of-f1-2026-start\/10797523\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"413\" height=\"275\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/31cb95a6b397ea6ecf7fb2ced722de03.jpeg\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/f1\/news\/mclaren-calls-for-imperative-safety-tweaks-ahead-of-f1-2026-start\/10797523\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:McLaren calls for &quot;imperative&quot; safety tweaks ahead of F1 2026 start;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"> McLaren calls for &#8220;imperative&#8221; safety tweaks ahead of F1 2026 start <\/a><\/p>\n<p>To read more Motorsport.com articles <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:visit our website;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">visit our website<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Just under a year ago the first rumours emerged that Max Verstappen was actively trying to extract himself&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":474851,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[441],"tags":[3016,72754,49,26292,48,578,930,576,577,3484,932,1885,1882,2190,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-474850","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-formula-1","8":"tag-aston-martin-racing","9":"tag-audi-f1-team","10":"tag-ca","11":"tag-cadillac-racing","12":"tag-canada","13":"tag-f1","14":"tag-ferrari","15":"tag-formula-1","16":"tag-formula1","17":"tag-getty-images","18":"tag-lewis-hamilton","19":"tag-max-verstappen","20":"tag-red-bull","21":"tag-red-bull-racing","22":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/474850","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=474850"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/474850\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/474851"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=474850"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=474850"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=474850"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}