F1 | Red Bull 2026: How aerodynamics could matter more than engines
As the new era of Formula 1 approaches, the big question isn’t just where the teams will start on the grid, but which factor will truly define performance in 2026. While the FIA has emphasized the internal combustion engine as the key element of the new power units, Red Bull F1 has a slightly different perspective: for the Austrian team, aerodynamics could play a crucial role.
Ben Hodgkinson, Technical Director at Red Bull Ford Powertrains, partially agrees with the FIA’s view: “I think within the power unit package it might be true that the internal combustion engine makes a difference. On the ERS side, I expect everyone to be around 99% efficient with the electronics and electric motor. The biggest differences will probably come on the ICE side, and that also depends heavily on the fuel partner. In our case, ExxonMobil has been key in extracting as much performance as possible from the engine.”
How noticeable will the differences between power units be?
Hodgkinson points out, however, that 2026 won’t be a repeat of 2014, when Mercedes dominated F1 with an unmatched engine. “I believe the differences between power units will be smaller than what we saw in 2014. Yes, we have sustainable fuels, yes, we’ve lost the MGU-H, and there’s a limit on the compression ratio. Many regulatory adjustments have essentially reset combustion technology, but we aren’t millions of miles away from what we had before.”
He adds that these regulatory changes make power units more accessible to new manufacturers like Audi, without fundamentally changing the V6 engine concept. “We aren’t developing a completely different configuration. It’s still a V6 and essentially the same. All the lowered limits, like compression ratio and boost, have actually reduced loads, so the stress on components is slightly lower. I think the power units could end up being similar. Maybe I say this because technically Red Bull Powertrains is new, even though many of my staff have extensive F1 experience.”
Could aerodynamics be the real game-changer?
Despite his experience, Hodgkinson identifies a bigger potential risk on the aerodynamic side: “It will be interesting to see where all the other teams are, but I think there’s a higher risk on the aero side.”
The FIA also expects differences in aerodynamics, while noting that convergence between teams is likely over the coming months, similar to what happened in 2022. “But aerodynamics isn’t really my area, so don’t take this as an official statement. Still, it’s a full reset of the car, not just the power units. So yes, there will be differences, and we’ll see what they are.”
As Red Bull prepares for its most ambitious project yet, Ben Hodgkinson’s insights suggest a 2026 season defined by balance rather than engine dominance. By predicting that electrical efficiency will reach a ceiling across the board and that V6 technology is nearing its limit, the focus shifts back to the chassis and the air flowing over it. For a team that has historically excelled under Adrian Newey’s aerodynamic philosophy, this “aerodynamic risk” might actually be where Red Bull feels most confident, even as they transition into becoming a full-scale engine manufacturer.
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