Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has dismissed suggestions that Mercedes will be favourites going into the 2026 Formula 1 campaign.
Next season provides great intrigue, as the brand-new set of regulations have created an air of mystery as to which team will have interpreted them best.
There has been speculation that Mercedes’ High Performance Powertrains department has cracked the code of building the best engine for the new rules, which sees a more equal split in terms of internal combustion and electric motor components.
The German marque will, like this year, have three customer teams in addition to its factory squad, with McLaren and Williams retained, but with Alpine joining the fold, ditching its own works status.
Speaking to Kleine Zeitung, Marko has rubbished the suggestions that the Brackley-based outfit, with which Red Bull has enjoyed a fierce rivalry over the years, is leading the development race.
“Mercedes has declared itself the favourite, but there’s no evidence of that,” he said.
“The development of the combustion engine alone is incredible. The engine is smaller than the one in my lawnmower!”
Marko outlines current situation with Ford and ceasing of RB21 development
With former engine partners Honda returning to F1 with Aston Martin next year, Red Bull’s own in-house powertrains department is making a significant change, with a collaboration alongside American automotive giants Ford.
Having previously developed its existing Honda power units, this, in effect, is Red Bull’s first-ever engine programme. When asked to summarise the situation so far, Marko outlined the key areas of development and revealed that things are going smoothly.
“There are three or four things that are important for the new car: the combustion engine. We’re on board with that, and unless there are durability issues, it won’t be a game-changer,” he said.
“The battery is crucial; we’re starting with a conventional solution for that, and petrol is a very important factor. Development in this area is going very well with our partner Exxon.”
Red Bull’s current challenger, the RB21, has been perhaps its most difficult car in years, with Verstappen only taking two wins out of the first 10 contested, and Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda struggling significantly alongside him.
Marko revealed that it is likely the development of the car will cease soon, and completely shift focus onto next year’s model.
“There’s a precise allocation of how the wind tunnel and all the tools are used,” he said. “At some point, however, they’ll say: ‘Okay, that’s it for further development’. For two reasons: time—and the production of new parts takes time—and the cost cap.
“So the question is: Where do you allocate your resources? I assume after Silverstone or Spa at the latest, there will be a decision to focus entirely on the new car.”
READ MORE – Helmut Marko provides update on Racing Bulls’ F1 future
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