P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies is more than aware of the challenges that await the team as an F1 engine manufacturer.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged the immense challenge of being their own power unit supplier in the 2026 F1 season, foreseeing “sleepless nights” in the initial races. With technical aid from Ford, Red Bull has embarked on the daunting task of creating F1 engines to drive both their team and sister outfit Racing Bulls. The team’s lack of experience in engine development compared to Ferrari, Honda, and Mercedes may pose significant hurdles throughout the season.
The transition to a power unit supplier marks a major shift for Red Bull, transforming them into a full-fledged factory operation. Mekies stresses the gravity of the project, emphasizing the need for realistic expectations. While believing in Red Bull’s capability to rise to the challenge, Mekies cautions against expecting immediate success, highlighting the monumental nature of developing engines from scratch in a sport dominated by longstanding manufacturers.
