McLaren CEO Zak Brown impressed by Red Bull's new Ford power unit during Barcelona shakedown

McLaren CEO Zak Brown highlighted the performance and reliability of Red Bull's new Ford power unit as a standout feature during Formula 1's recent pre-season shakedown in Barcelona. Brown also noted the general robustness displayed by all teams despite the complexity of the new car and engine regulations.

Why it matters:

This marks the first competitive outing for Red Bull Powertrains' fully in-house developed engine, a major milestone for the team as it transitions from being a long-time customer. A strong and reliable power unit from Red Bull could significantly alter the competitive hierarchy, not just for the factory team but also for its sister squad, Racing Bulls, potentially creating a new multi-team threat at the front of the grid.

The details:

• The Barcelona shakedown involved ten of the eleven F1 teams over five days, with each permitted to run on three of those days.
• While Mercedes and Ferrari unofficially led the timesheets and lap counts, Brown's attention was captured by Red Bull's new power unit.
• Engine Performance: Brown stated the Red Bull-Ford engine appeared "very, very strong" and notably reliable for a brand-new project.
• Lap Count Data: Unofficial numbers showed the Red Bull power unit completed 622 laps across its two teams. For comparison, the Mercedes PU covered 1,136 laps with three teams, and Ferrari's unit logged 922 laps also with three teams.
• Regulation Sophistication: Brown emphasized the achievement, given the shakedown tested both new chassis regulations and the next-generation power units simultaneously.

What's next:

All eyes now turn to the official three-day pre-season test in Bahrain, where more concrete performance data will emerge. The 2026 season officially begins with the Australian Grand Prix on March 6th. The shakedown suggests Red Bull's engine project has started on a solid footing, but its true competitiveness against established giants like Mercedes and Ferrari will be determined under the full scrutiny of winter testing and the opening races.

summary: McLaren CEO Zak Brown praised the apparent strength and reliability of Red Bull's new in-house Ford power unit following F1's Barcelona shakedown, signaling a promising start for Red Bull's major engine project as teams prepare for official pre-season testing.