P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies has responded to Toto Wolff’s assertion about the challenge facing his team when it becomes a power unit manufacturer next season.
Red Bull’s team principal, Laurent Mekies, anticipates “a lot of sleepless nights” as they strive to develop a competitive power unit that can rival Mercedes and Ferrari next year.
Mekies acknowledges that Red Bull faces a significant challenge and agrees with Toto Wolff’s analogy that they have “Mount Everest to climb” when they become a full works team in 2026 under new F1 regulations.
The team, based in Milton Keynes, will venture into uncharted territory by manufacturing its own power unit for the first time after working closely with Honda in recent years.
With Honda moving on to partner with Aston Martin, Red Bull Powertrains will be solely responsible for their power unit, while also supplying engines to sister team Racing Bulls.
Despite the daunting task ahead, Mekies views the decision to develop their own power unit as bold and emblematic of Red Bull’s fearless approach to challenges. He emphasizes the need for realistic expectations and respects the experience and expertise of established manufacturers like Mercedes and Ferrari.
