Red Bull's 2026 Power Unit Era Fulfills Mateschitz's Dream

Red Bull has launched its 2026 livery in Detroit, celebrating a monumental shift as the team prepares to race with its own in-house Red Bull Ford powertrain. Team principal Laurent Mekies emphasized that this move fulfills the "dream" of late founder Dietrich Mateschitz, marking a significant new chapter for the Milton Keynes outfit.

Why it matters:

This transition represents Red Bull's bid to become masters of their own destiny amid massive 2026 regulatory changes. By producing their own power unit in partnership with Ford, Red Bull ends reliance on external manufacturers and honors their founder's vision, potentially reshaping the competitive hierarchy.

The details:

• Joint Launch: Red Bull and Racing Bulls hosted a joint event at Michigan Central Station to showcase the new livery and celebrate the partnership with Ford.
• Founder's Vision: Mekies highlighted that creating an engine was Mateschitz's second major dream for the squad after entering the sport.
• Engineering Feat: Technical director Ben Hodgkinson described the project as "bold and audacious," aiming for perfect harmony between chassis and engine.
• Scale of Effort: Over 2,000 employees at the Red Bull Technology Campus have worked to enable the Barcelona shakedown with their own power unit.

Looking Ahead:

The team is optimistic as they approach their first track test.

• The Barcelona shakedown later this month will serve as the debut for the new power unit.
• CEO Oliver Mintzlaff compared this risk to their 2005 entry, emphasizing that taking bold steps remains core to Red Bull's identity.