Overview
- Red Bull will run an in-house Red Bull–Ford power unit in 2026 under new rules that balance electric and combustion output.
- Ford’s Mark Rushbrook says the programme is on plan with recent work centered on drivability and software calibration in labs, computers and simulators.
- He acknowledges Red Bull’s internal combustion engine could start slightly behind rivals yet expects any shortfall to be minimal and recoverable in other areas.
- Max Verstappen has heard the unit on a dyno and described the sound as crisp, though teams caution that audio is not a measure of performance.
- The FIA’s ADUO process will allow limited in‑season upgrades for manufacturers that trail on ICE power, with the competitive picture expected to emerge in winter testing and the early races.