McLaren CEO Surprised by Red Bull's 'Very Strong' Power Unit in Barcelona Testing

McLaren CEO Zak Brown expressed surprise at the performance of Red Bull's new in-house power unit during Formula 1's pre-season test in Barcelona, calling it "very strong" and noting the team logged impressive mileage. While hesitant to name a clear favorite, Brown suggested Mercedes currently looks strongest, but expects the competitive order among the top teams to remain fluid with the new regulations.

Why it matters:

The performance of Red Bull's first fully self-built power unit, developed without longtime partner Honda, is a critical unknown for the 2026 season. A competitive engine from the reigning champions would solidify their position and validate a massive technical gamble, while surprising strength could disrupt the expected pecking order and put pressure on established manufacturers like Mercedes and Ferrari.

The details:

• Brown stated the Red Bull Ford power unit was "very strong" and that "everyone was pleasantly surprised" by its performance and reliability during the three-day test.
• The new Red Bull powertrain completed a total of 622 laps across the Red Bull and Racing Bulls teams, making it the third most active engine manufacturer on track.
• When assessing the early competitive picture, Brown identified a "big four" but found the order hard to predict. He suggested Mercedes might be the current favorite, but emphasized "there's a long way to go."
• He noted other variables, like Aston Martin's limited running and the unknown position of Williams, expecting the grid to be more spread out initially under the new technical formula.
• Separately, Brown opened the door for Fernando Alonso to return to the Indy 500 with McLaren, a partnership that has seen Alonso lead laps but never win the iconic race.

What's next:

The true competitive hierarchy will only become clear at the season-opening race. The Barcelona test provided initial data, but race simulations, different track conditions, and development races will reveal the actual performance of Red Bull's new power unit and whether it can translate testing reliability into a consistent season-long threat. All eyes will be on whether Red Bull's engine gamble pays off or if traditional power unit suppliers maintain their advantage.