Verstappen Says Red Bull’s 2026 Engine Sounds ‘Crisp’ on Dyno

Overview

• Max Verstappen said the Red Bull–Ford power unit sounded good and "crisp" when he heard it on a dyno during the team’s podcast.
• Red Bull is developing its first in-house powertrain with Ford for the 2026 regulations that target a 50:50 split between combustion and electric power.
• Mercedes and Honda have released audio clips of their 2026 engines, whereas Red Bull has not shared its soundtrack publicly.
• Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen urged patience on performance judgments, noting the first races in 2026 will provide the real reference.
• Verstappen has previously indicated his long-term plans depend on the 2026 rules keeping the racing enjoyable.