Lawson Praises 'Exceptional' Red Bull-Ford Engine After Early Doubts

Liam Lawson has declared Red Bull-Ford's new in-house power unit "exceptional," marking a dramatic turnaround from the skepticism that surrounded the ambitious project before the season. The Racing Bulls driver's confidence underscores that the team's gamble to design its own engine is paying off with competitive performance and surprising reliability.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's decision to build its own power unit from scratch, transitioning from a Honda customer, was one of the biggest technical gambles in recent F1 history. Its early success validates a massive investment and technical effort, proving the team can be a true constructor and instantly reshaping the competitive power unit landscape beyond the established manufacturers.

The details:

• Lawson revealed the team's perspective shifted from a lack of confidence a year ago to having "quite a strong engine" now, highlighting the unit's role in Racing Bulls' competitive points haul.
• While acknowledging Mercedes still sets the benchmark, Lawson explained the real battle is in sophisticated energy management, not just raw power.
• Strategic Adaptation: The Red Bull-Ford DM01 has shown an ability to turn weaknesses into strategic advantages. Lawson noted that in corners where the car struggles, being off-throttle longer actually charges the battery more, providing a deployment boost on the following straight.
• Complex Comparisons: Directly comparing deployment strategies with rivals is difficult, as it depends heavily on cornering speeds affecting battery recharge rates. The team is focused on optimizing its own deployment map based on its car's specific behavior.

What's next:

With the engine already exceeding expectations, the focus for Red Bull Powertrains and Ford shifts to in-season development and reliability refinement. The unit's strong foundation suggests both Red Bull and Racing Bulls will remain formidable points contenders throughout the 2026 campaign, with the potential to close the gap to the very front as they continue to unlock performance.