In 2026, Red Bull will embark on a completely new challenge—something it has never worked on before and likely the biggest project since the brand decided to enter Formula 1 two decades ago. With the introduction of new technical regulations, Red Bull will hit the track with an internally built Power Unit, without relying on other manufacturers.
Or rather, not entirely. In less than 50 weeks, the Ford logo will appear on the livery of the future RB22, marking the collaboration between the Austrian brand and the American manufacturer in designing the new Power Units, particularly on the electrical side.
Although Red Bull currently manages engines built by Honda, gaining expertise in maintenance and logistics, building a Powertrain from scratch is an entirely different challenge—even when hiring top-level engineers and technicians from rival manufacturers.
A Project That Shapes Many Futures
This is a significant challenge, and no one at Red Bull is underestimating it. Beyond determining the team’s future success, it could also play a decisive role in Max Verstappen’s long-term commitment to the team. While the Dutch driver has repeatedly stated his intention to stay, it is only natural that a driver of his caliber would want a competitive engine to continue winning.
Moreover, in 2024, Verstappen admitted to looking around, as last year’s internal tensions opened the door to interest from other teams—particularly Mercedes, which is banking heavily on the next technical cycle to recover after three seasons of ups and downs with ground-effect regulations.
Despite the immense responsibility placed on this Power Unit project, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner remains confident in the progress made toward 2026. He shared some insights on the development during a Ford event in Charlotte, North Carolina.
A Lack of Experience Shapes the Approach
“The collaboration so far has been fantastic. One of our main concerns when embarking on this journey was our lack of in-depth knowledge compared to Ferrari, Mercedes, or any other manufacturer,” Horner explained.
“Then this partnership with Ford came about naturally and has provided excellent cooperation, generating great enthusiasm across various departments. We are truly able to compare ourselves with what our competitors have at their disposal.”
Although Red Bull worked with Honda, the Japanese brand was responsible for the development—especially of the internal combustion engine. This is why Red Bull decided to start its Powertrain project by focusing on that area. Even though the electrical component will have a greater role than in the past, generating 50% of total power, the internal combustion engine will remain crucial.
While other manufacturers have experience working with V6 engines—albeit ones that will need to be adapted to new synthetic or biofuels—Red Bull is tackling a challenge from square one. This has led the team to take a different approach to development compared to other manufacturers. As Adrian Newey pointed out, falling behind on the internal combustion engine would require immense effort to close the gap, whereas the electrical component will be more about understanding how to optimize energy usage.
On this front, however, Red Bull can count on Ford, which has made strides in electrification within its automotive lineup, including the Mustang. Additionally, the American brand is investing heavily in motorsport, with plans to return to Le Mans in the coming years with an LMDh prototype.
Nevertheless, Red Bull sees its F1 Power Unit project as a completely new endeavor, and no one is under any illusions about its potential. “I think we have all the strength, knowledge, and capabilities—just not the experience,” Christian Horner admitted.
“Of course, Ford brings great experience, but this is an entirely new project, and we’re not deluding ourselves—we have a mountain to climb. But we’ve brought in fantastic people. We have great partners, like ExxonMobil for fuel. We have excellent facilities and, most importantly, great people.”
The Fuel Challenge
According to Christian Horner, one of the key aspects of the 2026 regulations is the mandatory use of 100% sustainable synthetic fuels. The more efficient the Power Unit and the fuel itself, the greater the potential to reduce the car’s weight in races—something crucial in a rule set where total energy management, from both fuel and electrical sources, will be vital.
The way these Power Units are regulated will also change. Instead of measuring fuel flow, there will be a maximum energy output limit rather than controlling mass or volume. Since fuel plays such a crucial role in the new regulations, there is even deeper research into fluid dynamics to optimize internal engine components.
While this isn’t an entirely new concept, manufacturers recognize that sustainable fuels will require modifications and that, in this area, they will essentially have to start from scratch. Unlike Formula 2 and Formula 3, which will transition to sustainable fuels gradually, Formula 1 will leap directly from the current 10% ethanol mix to fully synthetic fuels in just a few years.
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