Red Bull Powertrains: the risky gamble of 2026
Finished with Honda, make way for Red Bull Powertrains, as the Austrian team embarks on the journey of an in-house engine for 2026. A bold gamble that could well shake up the hierarchy or prove costly for the team.
2026 will be a pivotal year for Red Bull. The reliance on Honda will end, and the team will become a full-fledged engine manufacturer with Red Bull Powertrains, a colossal project launched in 2021 and supported by Ford. The objective? To manage everything internally and no longer depend on an external supplier. But will this project succeed on the first try? Christian Horner, the team director, has no doubt about the complexity of the task: In four years, we have built a factory and developed an engine, but let’s not be under any illusions: Ferrari has 75 years of experience, and Mercedes has 30 with HPP (Mercedes High Performance Powertrains). The mountain to climb is immense, but with the right spirit and the right people, it will be achievable, he declared to the media.
On the side of the opponents, there is a bit more skepticism. Zak Brown (McLaren) is already warning: “I don’t recall a team with its own engine being immediately competitive in the first year.”
An engine not up to par? « Max can handle it », says Marko
The team assures they are working tirelessly. But with the new regulations shaking everything up: sustainable fuels, elimination of the MGU-H, and a 50/50 power split between thermal and electric, the risk of falling behind is very real. Not enough to worry Helmut Marko, the team’s advisor, who is banking on a secret weapon: Max Verstappen. “A tenth or two of a delay can be managed with Max,” he assures OE24. In other words, even if the engine isn’t perfect, Verstappen will make the difference behind the wheel. And given the Dutchman’s ability to push a car to its limit, it’s hard to argue with him.
The triple world champion doesn’t seem more stressed than that. He trusts Red Bull, but he also knows that 2026 will be a leap into the unknown. “Everyone is doing their best. It’s the only thing we can do,” he explains soberly to the press. When asked if he’s worried that Red Bull Powertrains is an unprecedented engine manufacturer, he replies straightforwardly: “Yes, but that’s the case for everyone.” no team has yet tested its 2026 engine, so there’s no need to panic now. However, what’s certain is that Max won’t stay if Red Bull completely fails. Helmut Marko knows this and confirms it: “There are performance clauses” in his contract. If in 2026 Red Bull is no longer able to provide him with a winning car, he might very well pack his bags.
2026: Winning Bet or Industrial Failure?
Today, everything is going well for Red Bull. Max Verstappen dominates F1, the team continues to win titles, and is working at full capacity on the new car for 2026. However, no one knows if the in-house engine will be a success. Max remains detached: “If it’s bad, it’s bad. If it’s good, it’s good. Life goes on.” A fairly rare philosophy in F1, but one that sums up the character well.
So, will Red Bull succeed in its gamble? Verdict in 2026.
