Red Bull 'on plan' for new F1 as Mercedes repeat threat dismissed

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has revealed the team is "on plan" ahead of new regulations in 2026 when the outfit will run its own power units.

Red Bull has taken the bold move to part with Honda at the end of next season and to be fully independent with engines, although technical support will be received from Ford. 

The Milton Keynes-based team has never developed power units before, a move late Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz had previously expressed concern. 

Cost is a leading factor in engine development, a consideration it seemed Red Bull would have had in hand if it had partnered with Porsche, only for talks to break down, resulting in the partnership with Ford.

“To make our own F1 engine was a brave decision, and also a very costly one," Marko told GrandPrix247. 

"So Mr. Dietrich Mateschitz was worried. First, that we can do it alone. And secondly, about the costs. 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. 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.”

Ahead of the new regulations, there has been speculation Red Bull is behind Ferrari and Mercedes in development, two manufacturers with decades of engine experience. 

It is part of the reason why Max Verstappen has been linked to a move away from Red Bull, due to concerns that the team could be set for a difficult period. 

However, Marko has addressed the speculation and has insisted that Red Bull is looking good ahead of 2026, where he does not expect to see a repeat of what happened in 2014. 

When the hybrid era was introduced in that year, Mercedes went on to dominate. Marko is not concerned by this, especially with Red Bull's new partnership with Ford.

“After the decision not to go with Porsche, we found in Ford a very good partner who didn’t want to interfere in the racing details because there we are better," added Marko.

“So we have a partnership where Ford can provide some knowledge and know-how. For example, maybe on the battery side and so on. But they just support and of course financial backing. So it’s a good cooperation. At the moment we are on plan with our engine programme.

“Everything is on time. But the problem is it’s completely new regulations. Fifty per cent electrical, 50 per cent combustion. So fuel will be a BIG factor. The first time we will be using 100 per cent e-fuel and how quickly you can get the battery into the engine, the final regulations aren’t yet there.

“I don’t think it will be a game changer like 2014, where Mercedes were 50bhp or more ahead. In the end, you really will see once the engines are running out on track in 2026, but so far we at Red Bull are on plan.”