Verstappen Proud of Red Bull's In-House F1 Engine Programme Despite Early Struggles

Max Verstappen has stated he is “proud” of Red Bull’s in-house F1 engine programme, which officially made its debut this season. For the new regulatory cycle, the team opted to develop its own power unit for the first time, moving away from sourcing engines externally. Partnering with Ford, the project has had a solid start despite early issues, with chassis-related problems proving a bigger concern than the power unit itself.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's decision to build its own engine marks a pivotal strategic shift. After years of relying on Honda and then taking over their IP, the team is now betting on its own technology. A successful power unit is essential for sustaining long-term competitiveness, especially as the new regulations level the playing field. Verstappen’s public endorsement signals confidence in the direction, even as the team struggles for results.

The details:

• Red Bull Powertrains partnered with Ford to develop the 2026-spec power unit, with Ford providing expertise and branding.
• The engine has shown encouraging performance, but reliability issues have emerged, though not yet critical.
• Chassis-related challenges have been a greater obstacle, with Red Bull failing to secure a podium in the first few races of 2026.
• Verstappen’s quotes: “The guys have been working flat out to try be where we are right now. I think we're proud of the job we have done as a whole team… and the contribution from the Ford side.”
• He added: “I'm already very happy and proud of where we are. We'll just keep working to be better.”

What's next:

Red Bull aims to solve its chassis issues while continuing to refine the new power unit. Verstappen remains optimistic about making progress race by race. With a long season ahead, the team hopes to climb back into podium contention and challenge the frontrunners, particularly as the engine matures.