Red Bull Chief Admits They're 'Developing Faster' Than Mercedes for 2026 Engine
Red Bull Powertrains technical director Ben Hodgkinson admits Mercedes had a head start on 2026 engine development but confidently states Red Bull is now "developing faster." Max Verstappen is reportedly impressed after touring the facility and hearing the new power unit, signaling Red Bull's aggressive push to be a frontrunner in the upcoming engine era.
Max Verstappen is reportedly "impressed" with Red Bull Powertrains' first in-house power unit, designed in conjunction with Ford for the 2026 Formula 1 season. While Red Bull acknowledges they are playing catch-up to Mercedes in engine development, the team's technical director, Ben Hodgkinson, believes they are currently developing at a faster pace.
Why it matters:
Red Bull's venture into creating their own power unit for the radical 2026 rule changes marks a pivotal moment for the team's long-term independence and championship aspirations. Success in this new engine era could solidify their position at the top of F1, while struggles could see them lose ground to established engine manufacturers like Mercedes.
The details:
- New Engine Formula: The 2026 F1 power units will feature triple the electric power of current engines, with a 50/50 split between electrical and internal combustion power. They will also run on 100% sustainable fuels.
- Red Bull Powertrains: This division, headed by former Mercedes engine guru Ben Hodgkinson, is designing Red Bull's first in-house power unit in partnership with Ford.
- Playing Catch-Up: Hodgkinson concedes that Mercedes likely had a significant head start on testing due to the similarities between current and future power unit components and their extensive experience.
- Development Pace: Despite starting behind, Hodgkinson is confident that Red Bull is now "developing faster" than Mercedes, aiming to be ahead by the first race of the 2026 season.
- He notes that while teams typically redesign around 600 components between seasons, Red Bull had to draw every single one of the 20,000+ components for their all-new power unit.
- Verstappen's Impression: Max Verstappen recently toured the Red Bull Powertrains facility and heard the 2026 power unit running. Hodgkinson states the reigning champion was "impressed" by the hardware, the sound, and the team's meticulous attention to detail.
What's next:
Red Bull Powertrains faces an intense period of development as the 2026 regulations rapidly approach. While Hodgkinson maintains cautious optimism, emphasizing the pitfalls of overconfidence in F1, his belief in the team, facility, and support from Red Bull and Ford remains strong. The ultimate success of their ambitious engine project will only be revealed when the new era kicks off, but the early signs suggest a highly competitive, fast-developing power unit is in the works.