Red Bull Racing has embarked on one of the most ambitious engineering projects in modern Formula 1 history: developing a championship-winning power unit from a clean sheet of paper for the 2026 season. The Milton Keynes-based squad's new Team Principal, Laurent Mekies, has provided a fascinating insight into the immense challenge and the crucial partnership with automotive giant Ford.
The 2026 Revolution: A Blank Canvas
Speaking candidly, Mekies emphasised that the task is far more complex than simply refining an existing design. The sweeping new technical regulations for 2026 represent a complete reset, forcing the newly formed Red Bull Powertrains division to build everything from the ground up. "It is a different project because it is a project from scratch," Mekies stated, highlighting the absence of any legacy hardware or software to use as a foundation.
Ford's Strategic Role: More Than a Badge
While the power units will bear the Ford name, Mekies was clear that this is a deep technical collaboration, not a simple branding exercise. Ford's contribution is strategically focused on the cutting-edge electrical side of the complex hybrid system, an area where the Blue Oval's expertise is paramount. This partnership provides Red Bull with vital resources and knowledge as they navigate the uncharted waters of becoming a full works manufacturer.
Mekies on the Immense Challenge
The scale of the undertaking cannot be overstated. "You need to put in place the whole structure, the whole dynamic, the whole company, the whole tools, the whole processes," Mekies explained. He described it as building an entire new company within a company, a mammoth logistical and technical operation that is running in parallel with the team's relentless pursuit of current championships.
The Frenchman's arrival from Ferrari adds a layer of experienced leadership to guide the team through this pivotal period. His insight into the operational strengths of other manufacturers will be invaluable as Red Bull constructs its own powertrain empire to compete with the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari, and Honda.
The Mountain to Climb
Mekies pulled no punches in assessing the challenge ahead, acknowledging the sheer head start established power unit suppliers like Mercedes and Ferrari have. "They have been doing it for 10, 15, 20 years... they have been evolving their processes for all this time," he noted. For Red Bull, the mission is to accelerate decades of development into a few short years, a race against time before the new cars hit the track in 2026.
This bold move marks a new chapter for Red Bull, transforming from a championship-winning team into a fully-fledged constructor responsible for both its chassis and its engine. The world of F1 watches with bated breath to see if this daring gamble will cement their dominance or present their greatest ever challenge.
