P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Laurent Mekies is confident in Red Bull’s power unit project, but maintains the team is not “delusional” ahead of the 2026 F1 season.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledges that winning in the upcoming F1 season is not a realistic expectation for the Milton Keynes-based team, as they are fully aware of the challenges ahead. The team, a six-time constructors’ champion, is gearing up for a new era in 2026, with significant changes in chassis and engine regulations, as they transition into a full works team manufacturing their own power unit through Red Bull Powertrains and a partnership with Ford. Mekies agrees with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s comparison of the challenges ahead as climbing Mount Everest and acknowledges Mercedes’ successful transition during the 2014 power unit rules change.
Despite the immense task at hand, Mekies expresses confidence that Red Bull is well-equipped to tackle the challenges ahead in their unique Red Bull way and believes they have the necessary resources to eventually achieve success. He emphasizes that Red Bull’s transformation into an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) sets them apart, particularly as Alpine transitions from a works team to a Mercedes customer. Mekies avoids setting a specific timeline for the team’s success in F1 but highlights Red Bull’s history of building a championship-winning team and power unit independently. In his view, Red Bull’s capabilities are limitless, and success will come when the team is ready.
