P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has dismissed suggestions that Mercedes will be favourites going into the 2026 F1 campaign.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has dismissed suggestions that Mercedes will be favorites for the 2026 Formula 1 season, citing the new regulations’ air of mystery in team interpretation.
Speculation surrounds Mercedes’ engine development for the new rules, which shift focus to a balanced combustion and electric power split.
With Alpine joining Mercedes as a customer team, Marko denies claims of their lead in development, highlighting the small engine size as humorous.
Red Bull’s shift to a collaboration with Ford marks a new era in power unit development, with emphasis on combustion, battery technology, and fuel efficiency.
The focus is expected to shift from the challenging RB21 model to the 2026 car after Silverstone or Spa, as resources are reallocated for the new regulations.
