P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull is looking to take the fight to engine manufacturers with decades of experience next season, as it embarks on the journey of being an F1 power unit supplier.
Ford Motorsport global director Mark Rushbrook confidently stated that any performance deficit of Red Bull’s engine compared to its competitors is expected to be minimal in the 2026 Formula 1 season. Red Bull, undertaking the challenging task of becoming an engine manufacturer for the first time under the new power unit regulations, aims to power both its own team and sister team Racing Bulls without the support of an established manufacturer like Honda. Ford is poised to offer technical assistance to Red Bull in what is considered their biggest endeavor to date in the Milton Keynes-based team’s history. Despite the anticipation of a tough inaugural season with the new regulations, drivers Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar might contend with an initially non-competitive package, particularly due to potential shortcomings of Red Bull’s internal combustion engine relative to its rivals. With the 2026 engines optimizing a 50/50 split between electrical power and internal combustion, advancements in other areas present opportunities for performance improvements. Rushbrook reassured that any lag in the internal combustion engine development would be insignificant, as the diverse expertise within the team, coupled with the unique 2026 regulations, will facilitate strategic compensations in other aspects of the vehicle.
