P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull is embarking on perhaps its biggest ever F1 challenge this year with its own power unit.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged feeling “tension” leading up to the first laps with their new power unit. The Red Bull RB22 hit the track for the first time on Monday with Isack Hadjar at the helm, showcasing the new DM01 engine. This marks Red Bull’s debut with their in-house-built engine after years of development. The team’s first day was relatively smooth, with no major issues arising, reflecting the hard work put into the project. Mekies expressed gratitude to the entire team for being ready to run on Monday morning with their own power unit. While downplaying the engine’s direct comparison to established manufacturers like Mercedes and Ferrari, Mekies emphasized the need for a step-by-step approach to develop competitiveness. Unfortunately, Red Bull’s test plans suffered a setback when Hadjar crashed into the barrier on Tuesday night, affecting their running on Wednesday.
