Red Bull Embraces 'Sleepless Nights' After 'Crazy Call' to Build First In-House F1 Engine
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies admits developing the team's first in-house F1 engine for 2026 is a "crazy call" that will lead to sleepless nights, as the squad prepares to battle manufacturers with 90 years of experience. The project, done with Ford's support, is a massive gamble that could redefine Red Bull's future in the sport.
Red Bull Racing is bracing for a monumental challenge as it develops its first-ever in-house Formula 1 power unit for the 2026 season, with team boss Laurent Mekies acknowledging the project will bring "many sleepless nights" but is a privilege that defines the team's ambitious spirit. In partnership with Ford, the team is taking on established manufacturers with nearly a century of experience, a move Mekies calls a "crazy call" that only Red Bull would make.
Why it matters:
Red Bull's leap into becoming a full-fledged constructor by designing and building its own power unit is one of the most significant technical gambles in modern F1. Success would cement its status as a true powerhouse independent of external suppliers, while failure could jeopardize its competitive standing against giants like Mercedes and Ferrari who have decades of engine-building heritage.
The Details:
- Team Principal Laurent Mekies explicitly stated the decision to build an in-house power unit was "the craziest decisions one can take" and "a call that only Red Bull can make," highlighting the team's high-risk, high-reward culture.
- The project is a collaboration with Ford, which provides technical support and branding, but the core development and manufacturing are being handled by Red Bull's new Powertrains division in Milton Keynes.
- Scale of the Operation: The team has already established a dedicated engine facility, complete with dynamometers and a workforce of approximately 600 people, creating an entirely new arm of the company from the ground up.
- Acknowledged Challenge: Mekies is under no illusions, admitting it would be "naive to think that we are going to land in the top spot straight away." He anticipates "very, very tough months" ahead as the team encounters the inevitable development hurdles of a first-generation power unit.
What's Next:
The 2026 season represents a hard reset with new engine regulations, offering Red Bull a theoretical chance to start on a more level playing field. However, the coming year will be critical for reliability and performance testing.
- The success of this venture will be a defining chapter for Red Bull, determining whether it can sustain its championship-winning form as a fully independent team or if the engine project becomes a costly distraction.
- All eyes will be on pre-season testing in 2026 to see if Red Bull Powertrains can translate its bold ambition into a competitive and reliable reality on track.