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Mekies Calls Red Bull’s 2026 Ford‑Backed Engine Bid 'As Crazy as It Gets'

He cautions against expecting immediate parity with Mercedes or Ferrari.

Laurent Mekies, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing speaks with his team in the garage during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on September 04, 2025 in Monza, Italy.
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Overview

  • Red Bull will run a Ford-partnered in-house power unit in 2026, produced by Red Bull Powertrains in Milton Keynes.
  • Team principal Laurent Mekies endorsed Toto Wolff’s view that the project is like climbing Mount Everest.
  • Mekies said it would be "silly" to think Red Bull could match Mercedes or Ferrari from the first season of the new rules.
  • He forecast a demanding year of development with "sleepless nights" to bring the package up to the required level.
  • Max Verstappen has committed to the team for next year, while the second seat remains a talking point after Isack Hadjar’s recent podium with Racing Bulls.