Mekies issues stark engine warning as Red Bull gears up for 2026
Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies has tempered expectations regarding the team’s new power unit ahead of the upcoming Formula 1 season.
“We are not naive. We know it’s going to be a fair amount of struggles.”- Laurent Mekies
The 48-year-old, in his address during the team’s livery launch in Detroit, pointed to the challenges the new project poses, particularly factoring in the regulation changes.
“We are entering a striking moment for Formula 1. It’s going to be the biggest change of regulations in Formula 1 history,” Mekies said.
“But that was not enough – it’s also the moment where we decided to do our own power unit, with incredible support from our strategic partner Ford, who has been with us from the very early days,” the team principal added.
“It’s a crazy challenge – perhaps it’s a challenge that only a company like Red Bull and Ford could decide to take on, but that’s what we are here for. It’s going to be a year full of challenges, but it’s fundamentally what brings us together.”
When asked about the team’s prospects under the new engine and regulations, Mekies admitted that immediate parity with established rivals would be unrealistic.
“After everything we’ve said about the size of the challenge, starting from scratch and building everything up, I think going into the first year and thinking we can immediately match the level of the competition – who have been doing this for years – would be naive,” he said.
Further stressing his claim, the Red Bull boss emphasised that the team is aware of the possible challenges it could encounter. However, he expressed confidence in the Milton Keynes outfit’s ability to navigate them.
“We are not naive. We know it’s going to be a fair amount of struggles, a fair amount of headaches, and sleepless nights, but that’s exactly what we are here for. We have the confidence of having put together an amazing group of people, an amazing group of partners, and we will go through the struggles,” Mekies explained.
“We will eventually come out on top. Bear with us in the first few months, and I think these initial difficulties will be a good reminder of how much we went through to eventually get on top,” he concluded.
Mekies lauds Red Bull team after livery reveal
Mekies also took time to praise the efforts of the staff of the Red Bull Racing team after the unveiling of the RB22 livery.
The team principal expressed his delight with the colour scheme, noting that it only heightens his enthusiasm for the new season.
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