Red Bull's New In-House Engine Receives Positive Early Feedback
Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson gives positive early feedback on Red Bull's new in-house Ford power unit, calling it 'strong,' but remains skeptical of rival claims it holds a one-second-per-lap advantage. The true competitive picture will emerge at the season opener in Melbourne.
Red Bull's first in-house power unit, developed in partnership with Ford, has received encouraging initial feedback from within the team's ecosystem. Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson expressed satisfaction with its performance, though he remained cautious about rival Mercedes' claim that it provides a massive one-second-per-lap advantage.
Why it matters:
The 2026 season introduces major new power unit regulations, making this development cycle critical. Red Bull's transition from being a customer team to building its own engine with Ford is one of the biggest technical gambles in recent F1 history. Success would cement their long-term independence and competitiveness, while failure could see them lose the dominant position they have held since 2022.
The details:
- Driver Feedback: Liam Lawson, who tested the new Red Bull Ford power unit, stated, "Yes, I think on the performance side, we definitely think it's strong." He confirmed the unit is "working very, very well" but withheld judgment on its comparative advantage until racing begins.
- The Benchmark Claim: The comments come after Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff pointed to Red Bull's energy deployment during testing as a benchmark, suggesting it could be worth a second per lap over consecutive runs. Lawson expressed surprise at the magnitude of this claim, responding, "One second faster than everybody?"
- The Unknown Variable: Lawson emphasized the difficulty of gauging true performance in testing, noting, "We have no idea what anybody else is doing." The real test will come at the season-opening race in Melbourne.
What's next:
All speculation will be put to rest when the competitive order is revealed at the Australian Grand Prix. The focus for Red Bull Powertrains will now shift from initial reliability to maximizing performance and efficiency throughout the grueling 24-race season. The engine's durability and development potential under the new 2026 regulations will ultimately determine if this ambitious project is a triumph.