Verstappen's camp hears 'good things' about new Red Bull-Ford engine but remains cautious
Max Verstappen's manager reports hearing positive internal feedback about Red Bull's new in-house Ford engine for 2026 but cautions that without a reference point, its true competitiveness remains unknown. He suggests the season may be decided by which team can develop fastest if they start behind.
Max Verstappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, says the driver's inner circle has heard "good things" about the new Red Bull-Ford power unit for 2026, but he stresses the lack of a clear benchmark makes definitive judgment impossible. The key to the season, he suggests, may not be initial performance but how quickly any team can recover if they start on the back foot.
Why it matters:
The 2026 season represents a monumental reset for Red Bull, transitioning from a customer to a full-fledged power unit manufacturer for the first time. The success or failure of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains project is crucial not only for the team's championship ambitions but also for the long-term future of star driver Max Verstappen, whose contract contains clauses linked to the team's competitiveness.
The details:
- Vermeulen highlighted the fundamental uncertainty, stating, "What's the reference for next year? Nobody knows. We hear good things about the engine, but what is good?"
- He believes the decisive factor will be a team's development speed: "I think the decisive point will be which team is able to turn it around as quickly as possible, if you’re not high in the pecking order."
- Factory Visit Impact: Red Bull's technical director, Ben Hodgkinson, recently revealed that Verstappen was "impressed" during a factory tour, where he saw hardware in production and heard the 2026 engine run on a dyno for the first time.
- Hodgkinson emphasized the exceptional level of detail in the project, noting it typically leaves visitors "flabbergasted."
What's next:
All eyes will be on the opening races of 2026 to see where the new Red Bull-Ford package truly stands. While internal noises are positive, the real test comes on track against established manufacturers like Mercedes and Ferrari. Verstappen's camp remains committed for now, with Vermeulen calling the upcoming year "very challenging" but stating the driver is "still young, still eager and still very quick. So, all to play for."