Red Bull Boss Hails Horner's Role as Ford Engine Era Launches

Red Bull is set to pull the covers off its 2026 challenger, the RB22, in Detroit today, marking a monumental shift as the team enters the new regulations with its own Ford powertrains. Ahead of the launch, Red Bull GmbH CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has praised Christian Horner for his instrumental role in staffing the engine division to make this ambitious project a reality.

Why it matters:

Transitioning from a customer relationship to manufacturing its own engines is the most significant challenge in Red Bull's history. With Audi joining the grid and Honda returning with Aston Martin, the competitive landscape is shifting rapidly. Red Bull's ability to produce a competitive power unit in-house is crucial to maintaining its dominance and fulfilling founder Dietrich Mateschitz's vision.

The details:

• Mateschitz’s Dream: Mintzlaff shared a candid memory of the late founder telling him about the plan to build an engine. His initial reaction was shock at the sheer cost and scale, but he emphasized that realizing this dream is now the primary goal.
• Horner’s Contribution: Mintzlaff gave specific credit to Horner for "finding the right people" to lead the engine department. He acknowledged that while competitors poach staff, Red Bull remains a "winning, cool team" that attracts talent.
• 2026 Lineup: The team will field Max Verstappen alongside Isack Hadjar, continuing Red Bull's strategy of promoting young talent from its junior program to the senior team.

Looking ahead:

Mintzlaff expressed confidence that the team has the talent to avoid a mid-grid struggle, dismissing fears of starting the new era lower down the order. The focus is now on translating the "extremely talented" workforce into on-track performance, ensuring the team can "win again" in the new regulatory era.