Red Bull celebrates crucial 'first moment' with new power unit despite testing crash

Red Bull Racing has expressed immense pride in successfully running its first-ever in-house Formula 1 power unit during pre-season testing, a milestone overshadowed only by a late-session crash for rookie Isack Hadjar. Team Principal Laurent Mekies hailed the collaborative effort, emphasizing the positive energy within the team as they begin a massive new chapter as both a chassis and engine manufacturer.

Why it matters:

This shakedown marks a critical first step in Red Bull's ambitious journey to become a fully independent powerhouse. For the first time since entering F1, the team is running its own engine, a project born from the ashes of its former partnership with Honda. Successfully managing this dual role of chassis and power unit builder is essential for maintaining its competitive dominance long-term, making these initial trouble-free laps a significant confidence boost.

The details:

• The two-day Barcelona test was largely positive until the final moments, when Red Bull junior driver Isack Hadjar hit the barriers, causing significant damage to the RB20 chassis.
• Up to that point, the new Red Bull Powertrains (RBPT) engine had run reliably with no major issues reported, allowing the team to begin crucial integration work.
• Mekies specifically praised the "huge satisfaction" of seeing the chassis and power unit teams work seamlessly as one unit for the first time.
• The crash has disrupted the testing schedule, forcing the team to analyze the damage and decide whether to use its final allotted test day later in the week for repairs or further running.

What's next:

The immediate focus is on assessing the damage from Hadjar's crash and determining if and when the car can return to the track. With only one remaining test day available this week, the team faces a logistical decision. Regardless of the setback, the initial reliability of the new power unit provides a foundational building block. The real test will come as the team accumulates more mileage and begins to push the performance boundaries of its new, fully integrated package ahead of the season opener.