Helmut Marko has shared a "promising" update on Red Bull's Formula 1 car for the 2026 season. The team is looking to regain its dominant form after experiencing a dip in performance this year, falling behind in the title fight.
Why it matters
New technical regulations will come into play in 2026, bringing major changes to both the chassis and the power units. Red Bull is building its own power unit for the first time in its history, in partnership with Ford. The success of this ambitious project is crucial for their future competitiveness in F1.
The details
- Marko told Kronen Zeitung that "We've come a long way, and the figures are promising."
- He highlighted four potentially decisive components: the combustion engine, the battery, the fuel, and the power supply, noting good progress with the chassis as well.
- Marko expressed his hope that they don't see a repeat of 2014, when Mercedes suddenly had a significant power advantage of 50 to 70 horsepower.
The big picture
The partnership with Ford is vital. Marko explained that "As a large corporation, they have completely different access options when it comes to material procurement, for example." He also confirmed that Red Bull and Ford are working very closely on the turbo and battery components.
What's next
Intensive development of the 2026 car and power unit will continue as Red Bull aims to be fully prepared for the new regulations.