In 2026, F1 switches to revised power unit regulations which drop the expensive and complicated MGU-H system and instead put a bigger emphasis on electric power provided by the MGU-K.
F1 will also adopt sustainable fuels for the turbocharged V6 engine, which will remain in place as part of a projected 50/50 split between electric and internal combustion power.
For 2026, Red Bull and sister team RB will switch from Honda engines to power units developed by Red Bull Powertrains, built at Red Bull's Milton Keynes campus with input from partner Ford.
For Red Bull, switching to an in-house engine presents a huge step into the unknown that team principal Christian Horner has called the team's "biggest challenge" in its 20-year history.
But amid suggestions that the engine project is behind that of its peers and could be a reason for Verstappen to consider his options, the Dutchman says there is "no need to panic" about it just yet.
"If I have to speculate about everything... I might be worried if I'm still alive tomorrow, right?" Verstappen shrugged. "I don't really worry about that too much.
"Of course, I am in close contact with Christian about that and the people working there. Everyone's working flat out, so there is no need to panic about that. It's still not 2026."
Source: Autosport