Red Bull Ford power unit shows promising reliability in 2026 winter test
Liam Lawson reports positive early reliability for the new Red Bull Ford power unit during 2026 F1 testing in Barcelona, calling it a key objective achieved. The Racing Bulls driver finished fourth in the morning session as Mercedes led the times once again.
Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson reported strong initial reliability from the new Red Bull Ford power unit during the first 2026 pre-season test in Barcelona, describing it as a "box ticked" for the team. The New Zealander finished P4 in the morning session, gathering valuable data ahead of the season opener in Australia, while Mercedes continued to show pace at the front of the field with Kimi Antonelli.
Why it matters:
The 2026 season introduces major new power unit regulations, making this testing phase critical for all manufacturers. For Red Bull Powertrains and their new technical partner Ford, demonstrating baseline reliability is the first essential step before unlocking performance. A successful engine is vital not only for the championship aspirations of Red Bull Racing but also for their sister team, Racing Bulls, marking the start of a long-term works partnership slated to run until at least 2030.
The details:
- Positive First Impressions: Lawson emphasized the team completed its desired mileage, stating reliability had been "pretty strong" during the test, which is the primary initial goal for any new power unit.
- Competitive Context: While encouraged by their own progress, Lawson acknowledged the unknown competitive landscape, noting, "We're making, obviously, big gains, but so is everybody else." The car was in a "much better place" than at the start of the week.
- Mercedes Maintains Pace: For the second consecutive day, Mercedes topped the timesheets, with rookie Kimi Antonelli leading the morning session, underscoring the continued strength of the established front-runner.
- Testing Schedule: Lawson handled driving duties for Racing Bulls in the morning, with teammate and fellow rookie Arvid Lindblad scheduled to take over for the afternoon session to continue the learning program.
What's next:
The focus for Red Bull, Ford, and Racing Bulls will shift from pure reliability checks to performance mapping and understanding the car's operating window as testing continues. With the final day of the first test week approaching, teams will analyze the collected data to refine their packages before the season begins. The true competitive order will likely remain unclear until qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix.