P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull’s power unit chief has dismissed a major Mercedes fear about F1’s new rules era.
Red Bull’s power unit chief, Ben Hodgkinson, reassured fans that F1’s upcoming era will not mirror Mercedes’ dominant performance in 2014.
Unlike in 2014 when Mercedes ruled the field, the upcoming 2026 reset has placed Mercedes as the unofficial favorite for the title, with George Russell seen as a strong contender for the drivers’ championship.
Red Bull Powertrains, in contrast to Mercedes HPP, has introduced its first unit under the new 2026 rules in a technical collaboration with Ford.
The 2026 season not only brings changes to the power unit but also overhauls the chassis regulations, marking the most significant single-season transformation in F1 history.
Hodgkinson believes that the chassis alterations, involving active aerodynamics and modified wheelbases, could pose a greater risk than the modifications to the power unit.
