Christian Horner delivers Red Bull verdict: 'Nobody thought that was possible'

Christian Horner has praised the Red Bull power unit department after it was judged to have the best engine at the start of the 2026 season.

A recent FIA ruling under the ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) system determined that the Milton Keynes-based squad had the strongest combustion engine in the field.

It came as a surprise judgment, as this year is the first season Red Bull has entered its own power unit.

However, a downside to the verdict is that the team is now ineligible to produce an upgrade to the engine this year, offering its rivals a chance to catch up.

Horner, who departed the Red Bull team principal role this time last year, has admitted to being impressed by the early performance of the engine.

“Do you know what, seeing that engine... five years ago the factory used to make bubble wrap,” Horner told Sky F1.

“To be judged the best engine in F1 as a startup, I think those guys have done incredibly well.”

Horner added that compliments should be paid to Red Bull's partners, highlighting it was a collective effort to get the engine to its current position.

“A big shout out to the partners there as well, Exxon Mobil, with the fuel that they provided, and Ford Motor Company,” he said.

“It was a collective effort, and I think it's underestimated what they've actually done.

“To have an engine ahead of Ferrari, ahead of Honda, ahead of Audi, ahead of even Mercedes - nobody thought that was possible.”