McLaren Surprised by Red Bull's Ford Engine in 2026 Shakedown

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has identified the Red Bull Ford power unit as the standout performer from the 2026 car shakedown in Barcelona, praising its impressive speed and surprising reliability. While tempering immediate championship expectations, Brown expressed confidence in McLaren's own competitiveness and highlighted the consistent, focused form of drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri heading into the new season.

Why it matters:

The first impressions of the new 2026 technical regulations are critical, as they set the early narrative for the upcoming competitive cycle. Red Bull Powertrains delivering a strong and reliable engine out of the gate challenges the narrative that they might struggle with the new formula, potentially signaling another period of technical dominance. For McLaren, maintaining a position in the confirmed "top four" is essential to build on their 2025 championship success.

The details:

• Engine Praise: Brown singled out the Red Bull Ford engine as "very, very strong," noting it appeared both quick and reliable during the limited running, which he called a "hats off" achievement for a new and complex power unit.
• General Reliability: The McLaren CEO was impressed with the overall mileage teams achieved, suggesting the grid has managed early reliability better than anticipated with the "very sophisticated, new, kind of immature regulations."
• McLaren's 2026 Outlook: Brown deliberately tempered expectations for a repeat championship, calling it "very risky to judge" at this stage but affirmed the team feels competitive. He indicated the top four teams all looked strong and that a clearer picture will emerge over the next two weeks of testing.
• Driver Dynamics: Brown highlighted the consistent demeanour of both Norris and Piastri as a key strength. He revealed Piastri was acutely close to the 2025 title—just one third-place finish away—and has spent the winter highly focused. He also noted Norris celebrated his championship with a personal dinner for lifelong supporters from his karting days onward.

What's next:

The real test begins as pre-season testing provides more concrete data on performance and long-run reliability. All eyes will be on whether Red Bull's early engine promise translates into sustained pace and if McLaren can solidify its place within that leading group. The performances of Norris and Piastri, both coming off a strong year, will be pivotal in determining if McLaren can mount another title challenge.