Max Verstappen predicts larger gap between teams after F1 regulation overhaul

14:31, 16 Jan

Updated: 14:48, 16 Jan

byOlly Darcy

Max Verstappen believes that the upcoming changes in Formula 1 regulations for the 2026 season will increase the gap between the top teams, giving certain teams a clear advantage.

"The gap will be bigger. That's always been the case when we have new regulations."

- Max Verstappen

It comes after Red Bull and Racing Bulls became the first two teams to unveil their cars for the 2026 season in a special event in Detroit, revealing the 2026 machines for the first time.

The regulation changes throws the pinnacle of motorsport into an unknown in regards to which team will lead the way, with DRS replaced by active aerodynamics and a 50:50 split in engine power, with half of it being electrical.

As a result, Verstappen believes that there will be a team or two that will clearly lead the way.

Red Bull and Racing took to Detroit for the launch of their 2026 cars - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

"The gap will be bigger. That's always been the case when we have new regulations," the Dutchman explained to GPblog and others in Detroit.

"There will be one team or two teams that are running way better than the others. But I hope that then, of course, over time, it might be super close.

"I think, especially with these rules, they seem quite complicated, so it's not going to be easy for everyone to get on that straightaway."

Verstappen on 2026 title fight: 'Not thinking about that yet'

There has already been some discussion from Racing Bull's Liam Lawson on how the rules may shape the season differently from previous campaigns as a result of the regulation overhaul.

Driver adaption will be key throughout the year, and that is something that Verstappen has already earmarked.

"I think everyone always does their best to design the fastest engine and the fastest car. Then, as a driver, you have to adapt to that," continued the Dutchman.

Max Verstappen will race alongside Isack Hadjar at Red Bull in 2026 - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

"Of course, you will say what you would like from a car or what you need from the engine, and that's a process that you go through all the time."

The four-time World Champion was then asked whether he sees the RB22 as a title-fighting car: "I don't think about that. I think we all want to be first, but we just want to get a lot of laps in and see where things go from there.

"At the moment, I’m just really relaxed about it all, because you don't know, you have no idea."

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