Max Verstappen may have surrendered his reigning champion status to Lando Norris, but Red Bull Racing appears to have found a clever visual workaround that keeps the Dutchman’s car looking distinctly like a winner’s machine. As Formula 1 teams finalize their 2026 preparations under the sport’s most radical technical overhaul in years, attention has turned to both on-track innovations and off-track ambitions. Adrian Newey’s reported discovery of a grey area in the 2026 regulations could hand Aston Martin a crucial early advantage, while Verstappen himself expands his racing empire beyond the confines of the F1 paddock with ambitious endurance racing plans.
Red Bull’s visual trick keeps Verstappen looking like a champion
Despite officially racing with number three for the 2025 season—having given up the champion’s number one after Norris clinched the title in Abu Dhabi—Red Bull Racing has employed a subtle graphical modification that makes Verstappen’s car appear to carry the winner’s digits. Fans quickly spotted the design adjustment, which uses creative typography to make the number three resemble a number one from certain angles. The move demonstrates Red Bull’s marketing acumen and their determination to maintain Verstappen’s champion aura even in a season where he returns to his personal number. The four-time world champion had briefly used number 33 earlier in his career but opted for the cleaner single digit now that it became available. Red Bull’s graphics team has ensured the transition maintains maximum visual impact while complying with FIA numbering regulations.
Newey’s grey area exploitation could resurrect banned ground effect
Aston Martin’s technical mastermind Adrian Newey has reportedly identified a loophole in the 2026 technical regulations that could reintroduce elements of ground effect aerodynamics that the rule changes were specifically designed to eliminate. The 2026 regulations dramatically reduce the role of underbody aerodynamics, cutting downforce levels significantly as part of Formula 1’s push toward lighter, more nimble cars with overhauled power units. However, Newey’s approach apparently circumvents these restrictions through innovative chassis design that recovers much of the lost downforce without technically violating the new rules. The development places Aston Martin potentially ahead of rivals who have focused their 2026 efforts on power unit optimization, particularly Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains, both of whom have explored their own grey areas within the new engine regulations. If Newey’s concept proves legal and effective, it could provide the Silverstone-based team with a foundational advantage as teams navigate the steepest learning curve the sport has seen since the ground effect era returned in 2022.
Coronel: Verstappen avoided ‘dirty tricks’ out of friendship with Norris
Former racing driver Tim Coronel suggested that Verstappen deliberately refrained from employing aggressive defensive tactics during the decisive Abu Dhabi finale because of his close friendship with Norris. Speaking to Dutch media, Coronel explained that the Red Bull driver could have made life considerably more difficult for his McLaren rival during the opening laps of the season-closing race. “He could have played games, releasing the throttle at strategic moments to create an accordion effect in the pack,” Coronel noted. “Perhaps that would have resulted in front wing damage for Norris or even a puncture.” The observation highlights the fine line between competitive rivalry and personal relationships in modern Formula 1, where several leading drivers maintain genuine friendships despite fighting for championships. Verstappen’s decision to race cleanly rather than employ borderline tactics ultimately allowed Norris to secure his maiden world title without controversy, preserving both drivers’ reputations and their off-track friendship.
Championship-winning RB20 chassis heads to auction
Red Bull Racing has announced plans to auction ten showcar replicas of the RB20, the machine that carried Verstappen and Sergio Pérez through the 2024 season. Working in partnership with F1 Authentics, the team will offer exact replicas of the car that secured Verstappen’s fourth world championship. While the asking price remains undisclosed, prospective buyers should expect a substantial investment for the privilege of owning a piece of Red Bull’s championship-winning hardware. The RB20 represented a transitional design for the team, maintaining competitive form despite increasing challenges from McLaren and occasional resurgence from Ferrari. These showcars feature authentic livery, sponsor placement and visual specifications matching the race cars, though they lack functional power units and competition-grade components. The auction reflects growing collector demand for modern Formula 1 memorabilia, particularly items connected to Verstappen’s record-breaking career.
Mintzlaff confident Verstappen will retire at Red Bull
Red Bull GmbH CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has expressed absolute confidence that Verstappen will complete his entire Formula 1 career with the energy drinks manufacturer while simultaneously pursuing racing opportunities in other categories. In an extensive interview with Dutch media, Mintzlaff addressed speculation about Verstappen’s long-term future and what makes the Dutchman unique among elite drivers. “I cannot speak for other teams, but I base my views on what I feel and see,” Mintzlaff stated. “Yes, there is a manager. Yes, there is a father. And I have good relationships with both of them. But Max is no longer fifteen years old.” The comment underscores Red Bull’s recognition of Verstappen’s maturity and autonomy in career decisions, moving beyond early-career dynamics where family and management played more dominant roles. Mintzlaff’s confidence stems partly from Red Bull’s willingness to support Verstappen’s broader racing ambitions beyond Formula 1, providing the freedom few rival teams could match.
Verstappen.com Racing targets Nürburgring with Mercedes partnership
The four-time world champion’s personal racing operation has reportedly entered negotiations with Winward Racing, a Mercedes-backed team with extensive GT3 and endurance racing experience, to provide technical support for a potential entry in the Nürburgring 24 Hours. While Verstappen himself is unlikely to compete in a 24-hour race during the 2025 season due to his Formula 1 commitments, his expanding Verstappen.com Racing operation continues building infrastructure for future endurance campaigns. The Nürburgring Nordschleife represents one of motorsport’s ultimate challenges, combining extreme length, dramatic elevation changes and notoriously unpredictable weather across its 25-kilometer layout. Winward Racing brings proven Mercedes-AMG GT3 expertise and logistical capabilities that would provide Verstappen.com Racing with a solid foundation for tackling one of endurance racing’s most demanding events. The partnership demonstrates Verstappen’s serious intent to compete at the highest levels of GT racing once his Formula 1 schedule permits more extensive participation.
What this means going forward
The convergence of these developments illustrates Formula 1’s transitional moment as teams prepare for 2026’s technical revolution while drivers increasingly pursue multi-category racing careers. Newey’s reported design innovation could fundamentally alter the competitive order under the new regulations, particularly if other teams struggle to replicate his approach mid-development. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s dual focus on maintaining Formula 1 dominance while building a credible endurance racing operation reflects a broader shift among elite drivers seeking competition beyond the Grand Prix calendar. Red Bull’s confidence in retaining Verstappen long-term appears justified given their unique willingness to accommodate his broader motorsport ambitions. The 2026 season looms as a potential reset point where technical ingenuity and driver adaptability will determine which teams and competitors emerge strongest from the sport’s most significant rule change in decades.
