Red Bull’s Revolutionary F1 Engine Revolution: Laurent Mekies Calls It “As Crazy As It Gets

Red Bull Racing is charging headlong into a new era of Formula 1 with its audacious decision to develop its own power units for the 2026 season, a move that team principal Laurent Mekies describes as “as crazy as it gets.” This bold venture aligns perfectly with Red Bull’s high-octane identity, as they take on the monumental challenge of competing against established titans like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Honda.

Under the leadership of Christian Horner, Red Bull has committed fully to its engine program, collaborating with Ford at the dedicated Red Bull Powertrains facility in Milton Keynes. This partnership marks a significant pivot for the team, which has long relied on external suppliers. As a newcomer in the engine-building arena, Red Bull faces an uphill battle against industry giants that have decades of experience and an arsenal of technological advancements.

Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes F1, did not mince words when discussing Red Bull’s ambitious endeavor, stating that the team has “Mount Everest to climb.” Mekies, however, agrees with Wolff’s assessment and embraces the challenge, recognizing it as an integral part of Red Bull’s adventurous spirit. “Toto is right by saying that it’s an Everest to climb,” Mekies stated. “I think that’s what it is.”

He further elaborated, “I think it’s as crazy as it gets to take the decision to do your own power unit as Red Bull. It’s an unbelievable challenge to be associated with. It’s the sort of crazy stuff that Red Bull does, so it’s a good feeling.” This perspective reflects a blend of excitement and realism as the team prepares to navigate the complexities of engine development.

While Horner has suggested that a successful Red Bull engine could be a source of embarrassment for rivals like Mercedes, Mekies adds a note of caution, acknowledging the deep-rooted expertise of their competitors. “We don’t underestimate that these guys have been doing it for 90 years or something like that, so it would be silly from our side to think we are going to come here and right from the start be at Ferrari’s level or at Mercedes’ level,” he remarked.

Mekies emphasized that Red Bull is not approaching this challenge naively. Instead, they are setting realistic goals as they ramp up their power unit capabilities. “It’s being set up the Red Bull way at the maximum possible level. We take it step by step and we will see,” he said. The team is committed to enhancing not only the power unit itself but also the supporting infrastructure, including personnel and facilities, to ensure they are adequately prepared for the upcoming season.

“We expect for sure a year with a lot of hard work with a lot of sleepless nights to get to the right level, but it’s a challenge that we feel very much being a Red Bull challenge. And we love that,” Mekies concluded, underscoring the team’s determination to rise to the occasion. As the clock ticks down to 2026, all eyes will be on Red Bull to see if their ambitious gamble pays off, potentially reshaping the landscape of Formula 1 for years to come.