Red Bull renames 2026 engine division, Verstappen criticizes Lawson demotion timing
Red Bull simplifies its 2026 engine project name to 'Red Bull Ford' as it becomes a works team. In a separate development, Max Verstappen criticizes the team's decision to demote teammate Liam Lawson after just two races this season, calling it premature and damaging to a driver's career.
Red Bull has streamlined the name of its new works engine division ahead of the 2026 season, while Max Verstappen has publicly expressed disagreement with the team's swift decision to demote Liam Lawson after just two races this year. These developments highlight the ongoing strategic and personnel adjustments within the Red Bull ecosystem as it prepares for a major technical shift and manages its driver roster.
Why it matters:
The engine name change to "Red Bull Ford" signals a clearer, more marketable brand identity for the team's first fully in-house power unit project, a critical venture for its post-Honda future. Simultaneously, Verstappen's candid criticism of Lawson's early-season demotion reveals internal tensions over Red Bull's famously ruthless driver management philosophy, which can significantly impact a young driver's career trajectory.
The details:
- Engine Rebranding: The power unit division, previously known as Red Bull Powertrains and then Red Bull Powertrains-Ford, will now operate under the simplified name Red Bull Ford starting next year. This move coincides with Red Bull's transition to a full works team for the first time, ending its long history of being a customer team since its 2005 debut.
- Verstappen's Critique: In an interview with Viaplay, Max Verstappen stated he disagreed with the decision to replace Lawson at the senior team after only two Grands Prix in 2025, where the New Zealander failed to progress from Q1.
- Verstappen argued that such a quick judgment "ends up ruining someone’s chance at a top team" and praised Lawson for recovering well at Racing Bulls, suggesting two races is "far too early" for a definitive evaluation.
- Historical Context: Verstappen's comments come after years of witnessing teammates struggle alongside him. Since 2019, drivers like Pierre Gasly and Sergio Perez have had difficulty matching his performance, with Perez being replaced by Lawson for the 2025 season before the latter's own rapid demotion.
What's next:
All eyes are on the development of the Red Bull Ford power unit, which will be a cornerstone of the team's competitiveness under the new 2026 regulations. The driver situation remains fluid, with Yuki Tsunoda now in the seat alongside Verstappen and Lawson aiming to prove his worth at Racing Bulls. Verstappen's public stance may influence future internal discussions about driver evaluation timelines at Red Bull.