Helmut Marko ensures that Red Bull Powertrains is “on plan” with the development of its 2026 F1 power unit despite rumors of delays impacting the sophisticated hardware’s progress.
Red Bull – which is currently in a partnership with Honda since 2018 – has undertaken the ambitious project of building its own engine for Grand Prix racing’s next-generation power unit regulations that will be introduced in 2026.
After a planned collaboration with Porsche fell through in 2022, Red Bull struck a marketing and technical agreement with Ford that will see RBPT’s engines badged with the famous blue oval.
But the American automotive giant will also offer its engineering input on the hybrid elements of RBPT’s power unit.
Red Bull’s co-founder, the late Dietrich Mateschitz, had expressed concerns about the F1 team’s ability to become an independent engine manufacturer. And while Marko acknowledges the high costs associated with such a project, the Austrian remains confident it will be successful.
“To make our own F1 engine was a brave decision, and also a very costly one," Marko said in an interview with GrandPrix247.
"So Mr. Dietrich Mateschitz was worried. First, that we can do it alone. And secondly, about the costs. There had been some interest from other manufacturers who contacted us for cooperation.
“So when Porsche came around, from a marketing point of view, they would have been the ideal partner," noted Marko.
"In the end it didn’t work out because we had different views on how it should work and if it was a 50/50 partnership. It was never going to be easy. So, unfortunately, it didn’t work out.”
Locked in its bold engineering endeavor, Red Bull Powertrains is up against Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault – not to mention Audi that will join the ranks of F1 in 2026 – who all boast decades of engine development experience.
While RBPT is facing a seemingly daunting task, one that reportedly has three-time world champion Max Verstappen questioning his future with Red Bull, Marko is confident that with Ford's support, RBPTs will be in contention on the engine front.
“After the decision not to go with Porsche, we found in Ford a very good partner who didn’t want to interfere in the racing details because there we are better," continued Marko.
“So we have a partnership where Ford can provide some knowledge and know-how. For example, maybe on the battery side and so on. But they just support us and provide of course financial backing. So it’s a good cooperation.”
Marko drew a distinction between the upcoming engine regulations and the introduction of F1’s era in 2014, when Mercedes dominated the field, and suggests that the German manufacturer’s hegemony won’t be repeated.
However, only time will tell how the competitive landscape turns out.
“At the moment we are on plan with our engine programme. Everything is on time. But the problem is it’s completely new regulations,” he explained.
“Fifty per cent electrical, 50 per cent combustion. So fuel will be a BIG factor. The first time we will be using 100 per cent e-fuel and how quickly you can get the battery into the engine, the final regulations aren’t yet there.
“I don’t think it will be a game changer like 2014, where Mercedes were 50bhp or more ahead. In the end, you really will see once the engines are running out on track in 2026, but so far we at Red Bull are on plan.”
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