Verstappen cautiously optimistic after first full test of Red Bull's new engine

Max Verstappen completed a full day of testing in Barcelona with Red Bull's new, in-house power unit, describing the initial phase as positive but emphasizing that significant development work remains. The four-time world champion logged 118 laps on the final day, gathering crucial data on the team's ambitious new package developed with Ford support.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's transition to a full works team, designing and manufacturing its own power unit for the first time, is one of the biggest technical gambles in recent F1 history. Success is critical for the team's long-term competitiveness, especially under new regulations, while failure could see them lose their dominant position. Verstappen's first proper feedback provides an early, tentative benchmark for the project's health.

The details:

• Verstappen's pre-season running had been severely limited by bad weather and a crash by rookie Isack Hadjar earlier in the week, making Friday's uninterrupted session vital for data collection.
• The Dutchman's assessment was measured, noting the team had "hit the ground running quite well" but that the power unit remains "a work in progress" and part of a "very complicated formula."
• The sheer mileage completed—a stark contrast to his earlier disrupted running—was highlighted as a positive and encouraging first step for the new engine program.

What's next:

The Barcelona shakedown was just the first step in a long development cycle. Red Bull will now analyze the trove of data collected, focusing on reliability and performance refinements.

• The real test begins at the season-opening Grand Prix, where the engine's durability and race pace will be scrutinized under full competition conditions.
• How quickly Red Bull Powertrains can address the "work in progress" elements identified by Verstappen will be a key storyline to watch in the early races, determining whether the team starts the season as a clear favorite or a work-in-progress contender.