P1racenews AI automatic summary:
A special visit occurred on Thursday at Red Bull Racing’s engine department.
Max Verstappen’s busy week included winning the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, participating in a test day at Monza on Tuesday, and visiting the engine department in Milton Keynes on Thursday, escorted by team principal Laurent Mekies and advisor Helmut Marko. They were given a tour of the facility by technical director Ben Hodgkinson, who is responsible for the Red Bull Ford Powertrains project, as the F1 team prepares to create its own engine for the first time in 2026. Despite his upcoming GT racing debut at the Nordschleife this weekend, Verstappen made time to personally attend the Italian GP debrief with the team. The joint appearance of Verstappen and the Red Bull management reflects the strengthened unity within the organization as they head towards the final stretch of the season. Looking ahead to 2026, uncertainty looms regarding how the new engines will stack up against the competition, but recent signs indicate progress at Red Bull Powertrains, with focus now shifting to the pivotal January tests to assess their standing. The hard work and dedication of the engine department persist as they strive to craft a power unit that will sustain their winning legacy, fueled further by the motivation instilled through the recent visit by Verstappen, Mekies, and Marko.
