Red Bull’s first-ever power unit is looking “really strong”, claims Marko

Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Dr Helmut Marko insists that the Milton Keynes-headquartered outfit’s engine division is making inroads with its first-ever power unit.

For 2026, Red Bull and sister team RB will switch from Honda engines to power units developed by Red Bull Powertrains after the Milton Keynes-based outfit elected to manufacture their own engines when the new technical regulations come into effect.

Red Bull will partner up with American automotive giant Ford with the car manufacturer’s contribution set to come in the form of battery expertise.

2026 will see that the 1600 cc, 90-degree V6 architecture remains unchanged, with a similar RPM limit. However, the MGU-H will be ditched while further key changes will include an increase in output for the MGU-K and much tighter constraints on internal combustion engine design.

The ICE will run on 100% sustainable fuel by 2026, which must be sourced from non-food bio sources, municipal waste or certified carbon capture schemes.

Speaking in an interview with GrandPrix247, Marko said that it was a “brave” decision from Red Bull to build its own engines from 2026.

“To make our own F1 engine was a brave decision, and also a very costly one. So Mr. Dietrich Mateschitz was worried. First, that we can do it alone. And secondly, about the costs.

Although Red Bull Powertrains will work with Ford together, initially the company held talks with other engine-makers as well, with Porsche having been the most possible candidate for a cooperation.

“There had been some interest from other manufacturers who contacted us for cooperation. So when Porsche came around, from a marketing point of view, they would have been the ideal partner,” noted Marko.

“In the end it didn’t work out because we had different views on how it should work and if it was a 50/50 partnership. It was never going to be easy. So, unfortunately, it didn’t work out.”

Expanding on how Red Bull is progressing with its first-ever power unit, Marko said that there is a lot of optimism inside the team.

“For 2026, the PU’s looking really strong and everything we’re doing with the fuels is looking great and there’s a lot of optimism for us over the next couple of years.

“As tough as these last few years have been, it really feels like we’ve got the momentum with us now,” conlcuded Marko.

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