Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is confident that Red Bull Powertrains can compete with the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes, though he admits it won’t happen overnight.
The energy drink company’s move to develop its own in-house power unit coincides with Formula 1’s major regulation changes looming in 2026 for both chassis and engines.
Housed within Red Bull’s campus at Milton Keynes, the new engine department is abuzz with activity, as engineers, designers, and technicians work tirelessly to develop a cutting-edge power unit capable of taking on Formula 1’s most established players in 2026.
To help with its challenging endeavor, Red Bull has struck a partnership with Ford, with the American automotive giant providing its knowledge and expertise in several specific areas, including the development of the hybrid elements of the future F1 unit.
Speaking about the scale of the undertaking, Horner highlighted how the simultaneous regulation changes in 2026 represent one of the most significant shifts in Formula 1 history.
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“We’ve got a massive regulation change, they’re changing the engine and the chassis in ‘26 and we’re building our own engine for ‘26, in partnership with Ford Motor Company, and that’s a huge challenge,” Horner explained on talkSPORT.
“So we’re taking on Ferrari and Mercedes, you know, as a subsidiary of Red Bull, and that is by far our biggest challenge in the sport.
“But we’ve got the right group of people, we’ve got the right facilities, and most importantly, we’ve got the right mindset and culture and a can-do attitude to say, ‘look, we can take them on.’
“It’s going to take time, but we can absolutely do it.”
Red Bull’s venture into powertrain development has involved significant investment in personnel and facilities, including hiring engineers with experience at rival teams like Mercedes and Ferrari.
Horner underlined the enormity of the regulation overhaul in 2026, calling it “the biggest reset in probably the last 60 years of Formula 1.”
He noted that every team will face the same challenge of adapting to the new rules, making 2026 a pivotal season for the sport.
“I mean, Formula 1 is very good at that, changing the rules just as things are getting spicy,” Horner said in Abu Dhabi recently, quoted by PlanetF1.
“I mean, 2026 is the biggest reset in probably the last 60 years of Formula 1, where both powertrain and chassis are changing, but that’s the same for everyone.
“There will be winners and losers from that. First of all, 2025 is where the focus will be.”
While Horner acknowledges the 2026 reset, he also sees 2025 as a crucial stepping stone. With current regulations maturing and teams converging in performance, the upcoming season could serve as a launching pad for Red Bull’s preparation ahead of the sweeping changes.
Horner’s comments reflect Red Bull’s determination to remain a dominant force in Formula 1 despite the massive challenge of taking on well-established engine manufacturers.
While Red Bull Powertrains’ journey to competitiveness may take time, Horner’s confidence in the team’s mindset and resources underscores its ambition to lead the new era of Formula 1.
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