SAD NEWS: Red Bull staff SHARE Red Bull’s 2026 engine ‘promising’ Max Verstappen calls it a ‘risk’ for the team Ford’s lack of engine expertise has huge consequences if Red Bull takes that risk in Formula 1
In the fast-paced world of Formula 1, where innovation and risk go hand in hand, Red Bull Racing is at a crossroads that could determine the team’s future. With upcoming rule changes for 2026 promising a revolutionary shift in power units, the Austrian team has taken a gamble by developing its own engine in collaboration with Ford. Staff within Red Bull Powertrains speak of a ‘promising’ project, but champion Max Verstappen warns of the risks. And while the hype is building, Ford’s lack of experience continues to cast a shadow over the adventure. What if this dare turns into a catastrophe?
The journey to 2026 started in 2021, when Honda, Red Bull’s current engine supplier, announced its departure from the sport. Instead of choosing a safe supplier such as Mercedes or Ferrari, Red Bull decided to take its fate into its own hands. Red Bull Powertrains was founded in Milton Keynes, with a brand new facility housing hundreds of engineers. Ford, the American giant that had not been in F1 since 2004, stepped in as a strategic partner. Together they would build a power unit that complies with the new rules: 50 percent electric power, 50 percent combustion engine, completely on sustainable fuels, without the complex MGU-H and with a more powerful MGU-K.
Recent updates from the paddock sound hopeful. Red Bull technical director Pierre Waché shared an uplifting message in October 2025: “The power unit looks very, very promising.” This comes after months of intensive development, with the team sprinting to perfect the engine for three and a half years. Mark Rushbrook, boss of Ford Performance, confirms this enthusiasm. In an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com, he spoke about the progress: “We are on track with the development of the combustion engine and the electrical components. There is still a lot of work to be done on reliability, but the partnership exceeds our expectations.” Ford’s involvement has grown; Initially focused on batteries and software, it now also helps with turbos and test benches, thanks to existing knowledge from other racing programs such as the Mustang GT3.
There is an atmosphere of optimism within Red Bull Powertrains. Christian Horner, team principal until his recent departure, called the project “the biggest challenge in the team’s 20-year history”. But he also emphasized the benefits: “By building our own engine, we take charge of our destiny and strengthen the future.” Laurent Mekies, the new team boss, calls it a “crazy, but typical Red Bull decision”. The team has recruited top talent, including Ben Hodgkinson, former head of engineering at Mercedes, and uses advanced software from Siemens for simulations. Even Max Verstappen plays a key role; he tests in simulators and discusses specifications with engineers, which Ford CEO Jim Farley calls “one of the most important pillars” of success.
Yet not everyone is so euphoric. Max Verstappen, four-time world champion and the beating heart of Red Bull, bluntly calls the 2026 engine a “risk” for the team. In interviews he reiterated his concerns: “It is a huge task to compete with established manufacturers like Mercedes and Ferrari. Everyone is working hard, but there is no need to panic – it is not yet 2026.” Verstappen’s words carry a lot of weight; Rumors of a possible switch to Mercedes have been circulating, especially after internal turbulence at Red Bull. He acknowledges that the new rules, with more emphasis on energy management, could complicate races: “Some races will be more about battery savings than pure speed.” For a driver used to dominance, this is an uncertain leap into the unknown.
The biggest stumbling block? Ford’s lack of expertise in hybrid F1 engines. The American returns after a 22-year absence, with a history of success in the 60s and 70s through Cosworth, but no recent experience with the complex hybrid systems that have been the norm since 2014. Rushbrook admits: “F1 is more challenging than other series; the technology requires years of development, and we lack the historical data.” Red Bull starts from a blank slate, while competitors such as Mercedes have built up decades of knowledge. Horner warned of a “70-year disadvantage compared to Ferrari”. Analysts fear this could lead to reliability issues or reduced performance, especially with the demands for light, low-drag cars and active aerodynamics.
The consequences if Red Bull takes this risk and fails are enormous. A weak engine would throw the team back into midfield, with millions invested in a flop. Sponsors and fans would drop out, and Verstappen’s loyalty is at stake – his contract contains a 2026 clause. Moreover, Red Bull not only needs to feed its own teams, but potentially also attract customers to generate revenue. A success, on the other hand, would be worth its weight in gold: control over the power unit means better integration with the chassis, and a head start in the sustainable F1 future.
Yet Red Bull believes in the promise. “No risk, no fun,” Horner sums it up. With the first tests in sight and the grid full of newcomers such as Audi and Cadillac, 2026 is a reset for everyone. Red Bull’s gamble could lead to glory or fall, but one thing is certain: Formula 1 has never known such an exciting chapter. Will the bull fly with Ford’s wings, or will he crash? The counters continue, and the world is watching.
