"Still quite a bit of work to do" on Red Bull F1 engine

Barcelona recently hosted a five-day private test for all 11 Formula 1 teams, providing a first look at preparations for the 2026 season. This testing period was crucial ahead of a wholesale regulation change, and for Red Bull, it marked the beginning of a new era as a power unit supplier – a venture the team hasn’t undertaken in 21 years.

Red Bull’s 2026 Preparations Underway

Despite fielding reigning champion Max Verstappen, Red Bull doesn’t anticipate entering the 2026 season as the favorite. Verstappen himself acknowledged the work ahead, stating, “there’s still quite a bit of work to do” on the new Red Bull Ford Powertrain. His on-track running was limited initially, with proper testing not beginning until Friday of the test week.

Did You Know? Red Bull is embarking on becoming a power unit supplier 21 years after the team first entered Formula 1.

The initial days of testing saw Red Bull prioritize running for Isack Hadjar on Monday. Verstappen then took to the track Tuesday morning, but mixed conditions hampered valuable track time. A crash by Hadjar on Tuesday afternoon further delayed progress, with the team not returning to the track until the final day. Verstappen ultimately completed 118 laps on the final day of testing.

Mercedes Shows Early Strength

While Red Bull navigates the challenges of a new power unit, Mercedes appears to be making significant strides. The team completed the most laps during the test week, and even conducted a full race simulation with teenage driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli on Wednesday. This performance has led some to consider Mercedes a frontrunner for the 2026 Constructors’ Championship, building on their success during the last major engine regulation change in 2014.

Expert Insight: The early performance of Mercedes suggests a well-executed strategy in preparing for the 2026 regulations, potentially leveraging their experience from the 2014 engine changes to gain a competitive advantage.

George Russell, a key driver for Mercedes, set the second-fastest lap time of the week, behind Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. Russell expressed confidence in the car’s development, noting a lack of the “porpoising” issues that plagued the team in recent seasons. He also acknowledged the impressive progress made by competitors on the power unit front, stating, “On the power unit side, there’s some impressive things from some of our competitors and that’s quite surprising, to be honest.”

Russell cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions from the shakedown, emphasizing that it was primarily focused on accumulating mileage rather than outright speed. He also noted that the initial performance of new power unit suppliers was unexpectedly strong, a development that could intensify competition in the upcoming season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Max Verstappen’s assessment of the Red Bull Ford Powertrain?

Max Verstappen stated that “there’s still quite a bit of work to do” on the new power unit, acknowledging that it is “still a very complicated formula for everyone.”

Which team completed the most laps during the Barcelona test?

Mercedes completed the most laps during the five-day test, and also conducted a full race simulation with Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Who set the second-fastest lap time during the test?

George Russell of Mercedes set the second-fastest lap time of the week, behind Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari.

As teams continue to develop and refine their 2026 cars, it will be interesting to see how these early testing results translate into performance during the season. Will Mercedes maintain its strong momentum, or will Red Bull overcome its initial challenges to emerge as a championship contender?

“Still quite a bit of work to do” on Red Bull F1 engine