Brown urges FIA talks on 2026 energy deployment as Red Bull's new PU impresses

McLaren CEO Zak Brown believes the established top four teams from last season remain the class of the field based on initial 2026 testing, but has called for urgent talks with the FIA to address energy deployment concerns. Separately, he acknowledged that Red Bull's first in-house power unit appeared "very strong" during the closed-door Barcelona shakedown.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season introduces the most significant technical regulation overhaul in a generation, making early testing data crucial for understanding the new competitive order. Brown's dual focus—on the potential stability at the front and a fundamental flaw in the new power unit rules—highlights both the immediate pecking order and a critical issue that could define race strategy and the spectacle for fans.

The details:

• Analysis of the five-day, media-blackout test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya suggests Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren have maintained an early advantage, though their exact order is unclear.
• Brown indicated Mercedes might be a tentative favorite, but stressed the long development road ahead.
• The new 50/50 hybrid power units, with their greater reliance on electrical energy, are presenting a significant challenge: cars are running out of deployment before the end of straights.
  • This forces drivers to adopt extreme lift-and-coast and downshifting techniques to recover energy, a phenomenon confirmed by multiple drivers after the test.
• Brown argues that while energy management should be a strategic element, the current rules risk making the deficit too visible and detrimental to racing, prompting his call for regulatory refinement with the FIA.
• Despite the deployment concerns, the debut of Red Bull Powertrains' first fully self-designed engine (in partnership with Ford) was a standout success.
  • Brown admitted the unit ran seamlessly, completed substantial mileage, and displayed competitive performance, surpassing many expectations for a brand-new project.

What's next:

The focus now shifts to the official pre-season tests in Bahrain, set for February 11-13 and 18-20. These sessions will provide the first public glimpse of the 2026 cars in action and more reliable performance data. The early competitiveness of Red Bull's engine and the unresolved energy deployment issue will be key storylines to monitor as teams prepare for the season opener in Australia on March 8.