Red Bull boss Christian Horner has admitted that the team is facing a “steep learning curve” with assembling a Formula 1 engine for 2026 but reveals it is “hitting targets”.
Honda’s initial planned departure from the sport at the end of 2021 prompted Red Bull to set up a Powertrains division for the all-new regulation overhaul coming to F1.
The Austrian outfit is collaborating with American automotive giant Ford, which is returning to the sport for the first time since 2004 to work with the reigning champions.
Despite speculation being batted around over the team’s progress over the past 12 months, Horner has stressed that Red Bull is not behind on its internal expectations.
“With the engine, we’re on an aggressive curve being a brand new power unit manufacturer but the team is really rising to that challenge,” Horner told Autosport.
“Our facilities are complete, both from a test and development point of view with dynos and rig rooms, etc, and manufacturing capability.
“But two years in the engine world is a very small period of time. We’re on a steep learning curve, but we’re on that curve and where we would expect to be on that curve at this point in time.”
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has speculated on occasions that Mercedes has stolen a march on the other engine manufacturers, with Red Bull and Ferrari behind.
But while he is unable to assess where its rivals stand, Horner has underlined that Red Bull remains on course to achieve the desired results it has laid out to attain.
“We are hitting the targets that we’re setting ourselves,” he added. “Now, how those targets stack up to our competitors is always difficult to know.
“But the effort that’s going in behind the scenes is huge, because it is literally a race against the clock to the start of 2026.”
Marko’s claim that Mercedes is leading development on the next-generation power units has added to the reports that Max Verstappen could move to the marque.
However, the Dutchman denied that he retains doubts over Red Bull’s venture ensuring it remains a title-contending force, citing it is premature to draw conclusions.
“I mean, if I have to speculate about everything… I might be worried if I’m still alive tomorrow, right?,” Verstappen retorted. “So, I don’t really worry about that too much.
“Of course, I am in close contact with Christian about that and the people working there. Everyone’s working flat out, so there is no need to panic about that. It’s still not 2026.
“We know that it is a very big task, we don’t take that lightly. And of course, with so many well-established engine manufacturers, we also don’t think it’s going to be easy to beat them.
“But we have a lot of good people working on the project and we’re very excited about it. So time will tell, of course, where it’s going to be.”
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