Jonas Leo
Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 World Champion, has indicated that Red Bull Ford Powertrains (RBPT) faces "still quite a bit of work to do" on its new engine ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign, following the initial shakedown test in Barcelona. The comments underscore the immense challenge for Red Bull as it prepares to debut as an independent power unit supplier in a sport renowned for its engineering complexity and relentless innovation.
The private, five-day test, held recently in Barcelona, served as a crucial early assessment for all 11 Formula 1 teams. Each participant was granted a maximum of three days of running to gather preliminary data on their prospective 2026 machinery, which will operate under a sweeping set of new regulations. These forthcoming rules represent one of the most significant overhauls in the sport’s recent history, particularly concerning power unit architecture and fuel composition.
For Red Bull Racing, the 2026 season marks a pivotal moment as the team transitions from being a customer of engine manufacturers to a fully-fledged power unit creator. Twenty-one years after its entry into Formula 1, the Milton Keynes-based outfit, with strategic backing from Ford, will embark on the monumental task of designing, developing, and manufacturing its own hybrid power unit. This undertaking places Red Bull in direct competition with established giants like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Renault, all of whom possess decades of experience in engine development. The sheer scale of this venture means that despite boasting a three-time world champion in Verstappen, Red Bull is not widely considered an immediate favourite for the 2026 season, at least in its nascent stages.
Verstappen’s own participation in the Barcelona shakedown was somewhat curtailed, limiting his direct feedback and track time. The initial day of testing, Monday, saw the new Red Bull team-mate, Isack Hadjar, take to the track. Verstappen then took over on Tuesday morning, but mixed weather conditions significantly restricted any meaningful running. Further misfortune struck in the afternoon when Hadjar was involved in a crash, sidelining the Austrian outfit until the final day of the test. It was only on Friday that Verstappen was able to log substantial mileage, completing a reported 118 laps. While a solid effort to conclude the week, it was clearly not an ideal build-up.
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Reflecting on the experience, Verstappen acknowledged the foundational progress while emphasizing the road ahead. "Still work in progress, but I think we’ve hit the ground running quite well with those things," he stated to F1. "It’s still a very complicated formula for everyone, there’s still quite a bit of work to do, but that’s normal." His comments highlight the intricate nature of the new regulations, which demand a delicate balance between internal combustion engine efficiency and sophisticated electrical systems, all while adapting to 100% sustainable fuels. The removal of the complex MGU-H component is intended to simplify the power unit, but the increased electrical power and fuel changes introduce new challenges.
The decision for Red Bull to become a power unit supplier stems from a desire for greater self-sufficiency and control over its destiny, particularly after navigating various engine partnerships over the years, including those with Renault and Honda. The partnership with Ford, announced in early 2023, represents a significant strategic alliance. Ford’s return to Formula 1 brings not only financial investment but also extensive technical expertise, particularly in areas like battery technology and sustainable fuel development. However, building a competitive F1 power unit from scratch within the tight timelines, especially against seasoned competitors, is widely considered one of the sport’s most formidable engineering challenges. This venture demands substantial investment in infrastructure, personnel, and research and development, all of which Red Bull Powertrains has been rapidly scaling up.
In contrast to Red Bull’s measured assessment, early indications from the shakedown suggested a strong performance from Mercedes. The Silver Arrows completed the most laps during the week, with their teenage sophomore driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, impressively conducting a full race simulation on Wednesday. Mercedes’ historical dominance during previous regulation shifts, notably their unparalleled success following the 2014 hybrid engine change, fuels optimism about their prospects for the 2026 season. Early projections, though highly speculative at this stage, have positioned Mercedes as a strong contender for the 2026 constructors’ title, with George Russell also featuring prominently in early odds for the drivers’ crown.
Mercedes concluded its running by Thursday, with confidence radiating from Russell. "I think it was a very positive test," Russell commented. "We had lots of mileage on the car, which was the main focus of the test. The car’s feeling nice to drive, no major issues, no porpoising, which is pretty good news for all of us. It’ll save us a few years on the back. So, yeah, all in all, a decent few days." This represents a refreshing change for Mercedes, which experienced a dip in performance with the introduction of ground-effect cars in 2022, ending an eight-year streak of constructor’s titles. The team has since been working to regain its competitive edge, and the early signs from the 2026 prototype are encouraging.
It is crucial to note, however, that shakedowns are primarily focused on system checks, reliability, and data acquisition rather than outright speed. Russell himself tempered expectations, acknowledging that "not a great deal should be read into this week’s shakedown, considering it was mostly about clocking mileage than speed." He also offered a cautious observation regarding other teams. "On the power unit side, there’s some impressive things from some of our competitors and that’s quite surprising, to be honest," the Briton added. "So yeah, well done to them. But obviously, three days into a 24-race season, so you don’t want to judge too much into that. But I think a lot of people anticipated the new power unit suppliers to be sort of struggling and whatnot, and they’ve sort of had a good test as well. So, that’s good for them. But for us, time will tell."
Beyond Mercedes, Ferrari also demonstrated promising early pace, with Lewis Hamilton reportedly setting the fastest lap of the week, followed by Russell in second place. This indicates that the established engine manufacturers are also making significant progress in adapting to the upcoming regulations, further intensifying the competitive landscape for 2026.
The 2026 regulations represent a philosophical shift for Formula 1, aiming to make the sport more sustainable and attractive to new manufacturers while maintaining its high-performance essence. The increased emphasis on electrical power, with a near 50/50 split between internal combustion and electric output, combined with the mandate for 100% sustainable fuels, demands a complete re-evaluation of current designs. For a new entrant like Red Bull Ford Powertrains, this presents both an opportunity to start on a relatively level playing field and a monumental task of catching up to the accumulated expertise of rivals. The road to 2026 will involve countless hours of dyno testing, simulator work, and further private track evaluations, as teams strive to refine their concepts and unlock performance. Verstappen’s candid assessment serves as a timely reminder that while the journey has begun, significant development lies ahead for Red Bull Ford Powertrains to achieve its ambitious goals.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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