Red Bull embraces ‘sleepless nights’ after making ‘crazy M…read more
Red Bull Racing are bracing themselves for what team principal Laurent Mekies has described as a period of “sleepless nights” after committing to one of the boldest decisions in the team’s history ahead of Formula 1’s sweeping 2026 regulation overhaul.
For the first time since entering the sport, Red Bull Racing will run a fully in-house power unit, developed through Red Bull Powertrains in partnership with Ford. The move represents a dramatic shift away from their long-standing reliance on external engine suppliers and places the Milton Keynes-based squad directly up against manufacturers with decades of power unit expertise.
Speaking during the season-ending Abu Dhabi weekend, Mekies openly acknowledged the scale of the challenge that lies ahead. While the Frenchman did not downplay the difficulty of the task, he made it clear that Red Bull are embracing the pressure rather than shying away from it.
“We know we are going to face some extremely demanding months,” Mekies explained. “There will be many sleepless nights, plenty of headaches, and moments where things feel incredibly tough. But being involved in challenges like this is also a privilege. It’s why people come to Red Bull.”
Formula 1’s 2026 regulations will introduce radical changes to both chassis and power units, including increased electrical output, greater emphasis on sustainable fuels, and a simplified internal combustion engine. For Red Bull, the timing of the regulation reset presented an opportunity—but also a massive risk.
Mekies described the decision to build their own engine as one of the most daring calls a Formula 1 team could make. “Choosing to develop your own power unit, even with a partner like Ford, is probably the craziest decision you can take in this sport,” he admitted. “It’s a crazy call, and honestly, it feels like a call that only Red Bull would ever make.”
Despite the enormity of the task, progress behind the scenes has been rapid. Red Bull have already established state-of-the-art facilities, installed advanced dynamometers, and assembled a workforce of around 600 specialists dedicated to the power unit project. However, Mekies is under no illusions about the competition they face.
“We are effectively trying to compete with manufacturers who have been building engines for 80 or 90 years,” he said. “That alone tells you how steep the learning curve is. But that’s exactly what excites us.”
The partnership with Ford adds both technical depth and symbolic weight to the project. Ford’s return to Formula 1 marks a major moment for the sport, and Red Bull see the collaboration as a natural fit with their own identity. Mekies stressed that the shared mindset between the two organisations has been crucial in pushing the project forward.
“There is a huge sense of pride in doing this with Ford,” he added. “They understand the challenge, they understand the ambition, and they share the same hunger. It feels very ‘Red Bull’ to take something like this on.”
Red Bull’s confidence stems in part from their track record of succeeding when others doubt them. The team has repeatedly defied expectations—most notably during their dominant championship runs—by backing bold ideas and trusting unconventional approaches. Building an engine in-house is simply the latest expression of that philosophy.
Still, the stakes could hardly be higher. A misstep in engine development could compromise Red Bull’s competitiveness for years under the cost-cap era, where catching up from a technical deficit is far more difficult than in the past. Mekies accepts that reality but believes the potential rewards justify the risk.
“This is not the easy road,” he said. “But Red Bull has never been about taking the easy road. We love the challenge, we love pushing boundaries, and we believe this decision will define the next chapter of the team.”
As the countdown to 2026 continues, Red Bull’s “crazy call” will be watched closely by rivals and fans alike. Whether it becomes a masterstroke or a painful lesson remains to be seen—but one thing is certain: Red Bull Racing are all-in on one of the most ambitious projects Formula 1 has seen in decades.
