Verstappen's Manager Hears 'Good Things' About Red Bull's 2026 Engine
Max Verstappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, reports hearing positive early signals about Red Bull's new 2026 power unit developed with Ford. However, he emphasizes that with completely new regulations, there is no reference point, and the true competitive picture will only emerge in the first races of the new era.
Max Verstappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, has indicated that early feedback on Red Bull Powertrains' 2026 power unit is positive, but he remains cautious, noting there is no clear reference point yet for the new regulations. The new engine, developed in partnership with Ford, will be crucial as Red Bull aims to rebound from missing both championships in 2025 and establish itself as a works team.
Why it matters:
The 2026 season represents a monumental reset for Red Bull Racing. After years of dominance with Honda-derived power units, the team is embarking on its first full-fledged works engine project. Success or failure of this in-house power unit will define the team's competitive trajectory for the second half of the decade and is pivotal to retaining star driver Max Verstappen's long-term commitment.
The details:
- Vermeulen, in conversation with RacingNews365, stressed the uncertainty of the new era: "What's the reference for next year? Nobody knows. So it will be very clear in the first few races how things are panning out."
- While acknowledging the positive rumors, he questioned the benchmark: "We hear good things about the engine, but what is good? I don't know, what's the reference? So let's wait and see."
- He highlighted that adaptability will be the key differentiator in 2026, suggesting the winning team will be the one that can develop and react the fastest if their initial package is not competitive.
- The 2026 power unit regulations mandate a 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical energy, a significant engineering challenge that could reshuffle the competitive order.
What's next:
The true test will come at the opening rounds of the 2026 season. Until then, all feedback remains speculative. Red Bull's focus will be on ensuring reliability and performance from day one, not just for its own team but also for its sister squad, Racing Bulls, which will be a customer. The team's ability to quickly iterate and upgrade the car around the new power unit, as Vermeulen noted, will be just as critical as the engine's inherent power.