Verstappen says new Red Bull car gave him ‘goosebumps’

AFP | Melbourne

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen said yesterday he does not know how the opening Grand Prix of the season will play out under sweeping new regulations, but he “got goosebumps” when he first saw the new Red Bull car.

The Dutchman was underwhelmed at pre-season testing in Bahrain by this year’s rule changes, which have led to a complete overhaul of chassis and engines for every team.

Drivers will have to better manage their batteries on each lap, a task he called “anti-racing”.

But with plenty of data collected he is optimistic ahead of the season-opening race in Melbourne this weekend.

“It has felt like a long build up to this point and it is exciting to finally get out racing again,” said Verstappen, who won six of the last nine Grands Prix in 2025 but narrowly failed to retain his world championship crown.

“In Bahrain, seeing the car with our own power unit getting in so many laps was very impressive.

“We’ve been driving the car in the simulator for such a long time, so when it was finally time to come back and see the car ready to go, I did get goosebumps.”

Red Bull have dispensed with Honda engines and are competing this season for the first time with their own factory-built power units.