Red Bull ambassador Calum Nicholas has publicly stated his belief that Max Verstappen will secure the 2027 Formula 1 World Championship. This prediction follows Kimi Antonelli’s recent triumph, where he clinched the 2026 drivers’ title. Nicholas, a former Red Bull Racing mechanic, made his comments on the ‘Talking Bull’ podcast.
Nicholas, who spent a decade as a senior power unit assembly technician with Red Bull, transitioned to an ambassadorial role in early 2025. His responsibilities now include promoting the team’s culture and values. He has also authored a book detailing his experiences in the pitlane.
Verstappen recently secured his third victory of the 2026 season at the Mexico City Grand Prix on November 1. He started fifth but advanced to win the race. This result marked his 74th career Grand Prix win.
Despite this win, Verstappen is currently second in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship standings. He is a four-time World Champion, having won consecutively from 2021 to 2024. In 2025, he finished runner-up to Lando Norris.
Red Bull’s RB22 car, powered by a Ford-branded unit, experienced initial performance difficulties under the new 2026 regulations. However, the team has made significant progress since the mid-season. The car’s performance has improved, allowing Verstappen to contend for podiums.
A persistent issue for Red Bull throughout 2026 has been inconsistent race starts. Team Principal Laurent Mekies confirmed that a lasting solution requires substantial hardware changes. These modifications are planned for the 2027 season.
“If we look at the performance of the car and the team since just before the summer break, I think we can fight for the titles if we start the new season at a comparable level,” Nicholas stated. He added, “If we can give him the right car, he is capable of delivering us a world championship.”
Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, clinched the 2026 F1 World Drivers’ Championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Aged 20, he became the youngest champion in Formula 1 history. This was his second season in the sport.
Antonelli secured nine victories and 19 podium finishes during his championship-winning 2026 season. He will continue with Mercedes until at least the end of 2027. Antonelli has confirmed he will retain his race number 12 for 2027, opting not to use the number 1.
Max Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull Racing until the end of the 2030 season. His deal reportedly includes an annual salary of €92 million from 2027, with potential bonuses increasing it to €115 million per season.
The 2027 Formula 1 season will introduce several technical and sporting regulation changes. Engine regulations, initially introduced in 2026, will be amended. The internal combustion engine power will increase from 400kW to 420kW.
Conversely, the MGU-K electrical power will decrease from 350kW to 300kW. This rebalances the power split to 58:42 in favour of the internal combustion engine. Fuel flow will also increase by 5%.
These power unit adjustments will result in a reduced race distance for most Grands Prix, from 305 km to 290 km. Monaco Grand Prix will retain its original distance. Gearbox homologation will be scrapped, allowing in-season design changes.
Aerodynamic regulations will also see changes. Rear wing dimensions are being altered to reduce their effectiveness. A new rear wing pylon brace will be permitted. The active aero transition limit will be tightened from 0.4 seconds to 0.3 seconds.
Red Bull has confirmed that Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar will form their driver lineup for the 2027 season. Hadjar’s contract was extended, ensuring an unchanged pairing.
