Max Verstappen in trouble as true cost of F1 break revealed

Max Verstappen in Melbourne — Photo: © IMAGO

Red Bull

Max Verstappen in trouble as true cost of F1 break revealed

Verstappen and Hadjar address the challenges of the coming month

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Wednesday 1 April 2026 10:57

Red Bull F1 stars Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar have divulged how the race cancellations in April could work against them.

Following conflict in the Middle East, it was announced that F1's Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix in April had been cancelled. With no replacement races put in their place, F1 will have a 'spring break' which will last just over a month (from the Japanese GP until the Miami GP which takes place the first weekend in May).

For F1 teams, the break comes with both advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand it stops championship leaders Mercedes and Ferrari from building up an unassailable lead; but the lack of on track running rules out any useful data gathering concerning the all new power units and cars, which will in turn assist with future development.

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Both Verstappen and Hadjar named these pros and cons when addressing the race cancellations, particularly in relation to the DM01, Red Bull's first and brand new power unit.

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Verstappen and Hadjar concerned for Red Bull power unit

Speaking to the media at the end of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, Hadjar was asked whether the April break would allow Red Bull more time to bring upgrades, to which he responded: "Yes, and less points lost to everyone else, so for sure."

Hadjar also detailed how the break could negatively impact their power unit however, and added: "The more racing the more we understand, the closer we get to the best engines on the grid. On that side it's definitely a bit of a disadvantage for us, but it's fine."

Verstappen expressed similar sentiments, but was less convinced the break would present them with any advantage over their rivals.

"After Japan, of course you have a few extra weeks to put a bit more performance on the car, but at the same time others also put performance, right?" the Dutchman explained.

"It's really not where we want to be. I know everyone is of course trying their best and I think they are as frustrated with it as me, within the team. We of course want to be better, and hopefully we already can be a little bit better in Japan."

F1 Red Bull Max Verstappen Japanese Grand Prix Isack Hadjar Suzuka