Mekies reveals historical update in Red Bull's engine development

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has confirmed that the team’s 2026 engine is undergoing peak stress testing to be ready for next season.

The engine is being built in collaboration with Ford and will mark the first time Red Bull has built their own power unit, after their deal with Honda expires at the end of 2025.

Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko and Laurent Mekies. Photo: RacePictures

Speaking to Red Bull’s in-house podcast Talking Bull, Mekies revealed that the power unit is undergoing testing on the team’s dynamometer to be ready for testing at the end of January.

He said: “At first, symbolically, it’s huge, because there is no crazier challenge than Oracle Red Bull Racing with Ford deciding to do its own engine.

“There is nothing as crazy as that in recent Formula 1 history. It’s typical Red Bull crazy stuff to do.

“Just hearing that sound is already crazy, let alone whether it’s going to be fast or not.

Photo: Race Pictures

“So yes, the sound is on. It’s been on the dyno for a while now, and it’s only a few months to go, so we are actually in the peak stress moment to make sure we can actually make one and get one to the racetrack.”

The Red Bull Powertrains-Ford engine will not be the only new power unit manufacturer joining the grid next season, as Audi is also producing their own for 2026.

Cadillac will be utilising Ferrari power when they arrive on the grid next season, but plans to introduce their own power unit in 2029.

Alpine has decided to abandon their in-house power unit in favour of a Mercedes unit, and Aston Martin has chosen former Red Bull partner Honda to supply their powertrain for 2026.

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