P1racenews AI automatic summary:
New regulations, a proprietary power unit and many team changes: yet Max Verstappen and Red Bull should not be underestimated in 2026.
As Formula 1 emerges from its short winter break, attention is focused on the first shakedown of Audi’s brand-new 2026 car. Speculation on the pecking order is rife, especially with significant regulation changes in play. The question of who will begin 2026 in the strongest position looms large.
Expectations for Red Bull aren’t soaring, as they brace for the challenge of using their self-developed power unit for the first time. CEO Laurent Mekies has acknowledged the immense task ahead for the team.
Ambition is high at Red Bull, but so is uncertainty. Can a brand known for energy drinks really produce a competitive power unit right off the bat? Meanwhile, established manufacturers like Mercedes and Ferrari have a head start with their decades of experience in this aspect.
To bridge the gap, Red Bull has aggressively recruited technical talent from rival teams. A significant number of engineers from the Honda partnership and Mercedes have joined forces, with Ben Hodgkinson heading Red Bull’s power unit project after a successful tenure at Mercedes during the V6 era.
