Red Bull Confesses That They Can't Be in Same Level as Competitors
Red Bull’s ambitious leap to produce its own Formula 1 engine alongside Ford for the 2026 season is a daunting challenge, unlikely to match the powerhouses Ferrari and Mercedes immediately.
Former Red Bull boss Christian Horner candidly described the team’s in-house engine program as the biggest challenge since their F1 debut in 2005.
Speaking shortly before his July 2025 departure, Horner warned it would be “embarrassing” for established manufacturers like Mercedes if Red Bull and Ford’s new power unit surpassed them right out of the gate.
His comments underscored the immense pressure Red Bull faces in launching a competitive engine amid sweeping regulation changes emphasizing electrification and sustainable fuels. While Horner was confident in the team’s investment and culture, he acknowledged that expecting immediate dominance would be unrealistic.
Mekies Backs Reality Check
Red Bull’s new team principal Laurent Mekies echoed Horner’s sentiments during the 2025 Italian Grand Prix. Mekies called the decision to produce their own power unit “as crazy as it gets” and said it would be “silly” to assume parity with Mercedes and Ferrari in 2026.
He likened the effort to climbing Mount Everest, pointing out that rival manufacturers have decades of expertise in engine development.
Mekies highlighted the dual focus on building not only the power unit but also the infrastructure and personnel required to support it, emphasizing a step-by-step approach with plenty of hard work and sleepless nights ahead.
The Road Ahead
Red Bull’s newly minted Powertrains division is collaborating with Ford as Honda shifts its F1 supply partnership to Aston Martin.
The 2026 engine regulations will radically reshape F1, with a 50 percent electrification component and active aerodynamics expected to redefine performance.
While Mercedes is widely regarded as the early benchmark under the new rules, reports suggest multiple manufacturers face significant developmental hurdles, with none having a clear advantage as the season approaches.
For Red Bull, success in 2026 hinges on navigating this steep learning curve while maintaining competitiveness to support star driver Max Verstappen’s quest for continued supremacy.
Red Bull’s engine project embodies their trademark resolve to challenge norms, but as Mekies and Horner concede, the 2026 campaign will test the team’s mettle like never before in their F1 history. The mountain is high, but so is the ambition.
