‘Embarrassing for Mercedes if we were ahead’

Red Bull’s Christian Horner has acknowledged the 2026 Formula 1 season could be challenging, but says the squad’s in-house engine programme will pay off amid attempts to keep Max Verstappen.

Verstappen’s future has been the subject of plenty of speculation despite his Red Bull contract running until 2028, with the Dutchman’s camp having had renewed conversations with Mercedes on the future.

It still looks likely the four-time champion will stay put for 2026, but he would then be able to observe which manufacturer has taken the best start with the new power units before weighing up his options for 2027 and beyond.

There is still no indication that Verstappen himself is keen to leave Red Bull, but his hand might be forced if the squad is out of shape under the new regulations, with Red Bull ambitiously bringing its engine programme in-house at Red Bull Powertrains, backed by Ford.

Horner is well aware that getting it right for 2026 is a huge challenge, and suggested it would be a black eye for the team’s competition if its engine start-up were ahead of the likes of Mercedes.

“We understand the pressure that there is next year, with us coming in as a new power unit manufacturer,” he said.

“The challenge of that is enormous. But we’ve got a hugely capable group of people. We’ve invested significantly. We’ve got a great culture within the team. Who knows?

“To expect us to be ahead of Mercedes next year is… It would be embarrassing for Mercedes if we were, or for any manufacturer. But I think we’re going to be in a competitive position, potentially even to where we are today relative to our other PU manufacturers. There’s everything to play for.”

In-house engines “100% the right thing”

Discussions are still ongoing to flesh out catch-up mechanisms in the regulations and ensure big differences between engine manufacturers aren’t being baked in from the start of the rules cycle, for example by providing extra power-unit cost-cap headroom and more dyno time for those who are demonstrably behind.

Meanwhile, Horner is still convinced the huge investment in becoming a power unit manufacturer will be worth it in the long term, even though Red Bull might need time to get on par with its rivals.

“What’s great is having it all under one roof, chassis engineers sitting next to engine engineers – that shouldn’t be underestimated when you’re talking about the packaging,” he explained.

“When you’ve got the ability to have those groups communicating and talking with each other directly over a cup of coffee and within the same facility, that is priceless, and that will pay dividends.

“Maybe it won’t be in ’26, but ’27, ’28, and beyond, long-term for Red Bull, 100% it is the right thing.”