Former Red Bull boss Christian Horner claimed Mercedes ought to be “embarrassed” should the team’s debut Formula 1 engine in 2026 prove to be more competitive.
Red Bull will embark on a new venture next season as the organisation’s two sides will use a power unit that has been constructed in-house in collaboration with Ford.
Horner, who had a leading role in Red Bull’s campus being expanded to accommodate the Powertrains division, has since had his two-decade reign brought to an end.
But in his last public media appearance with Red Bull, Horner took the chance to land a dig at Mercedes and long-time rival Toto Wolff over the upcoming rule change.
The overriding consensus within the paddock has been that Mercedes has stolen a march on the opposition when it comes to development on the new 2026 engines.
Horner has heightened the pressure on the German marque as he insisted that it would be humiliating to see Red Bull produce a superior power unit out of the blocks.
“We understand the pressure that there is next year, with us coming in as a new power unit manufacturer,” Horner told media including Motorsport Week at Silverstone.
“The challenge of that is enormous. But we’ve got a hugely capable group of people. We’ve invested significantly. We’ve got a great culture within the team. Who knows?
“To expect us to be ahead of Mercedes next year is… It would be embarrassing for Mercedes if we were, or for any manufacturer.
“But I think we’re going to be in a competitive position, potentially even to where we are today relative to our other PU manufacturers. There’s everything to play for.”
Red Bull engine project will ‘pay dividends’
Red Bull’s decision to abandon operating as a customer side comes as Max Verstappen’s camp is known to have been involved in revived discussions with Mercedes.
But while he acknowledged it is unlikely that Red Bull will begin 2026 with the class-leading package, Horner is certain the team will reap the rewards in the long term.
“What’s great is having it all under one roof, chassis engineers sitting next to engine engineers – that shouldn’t be underestimated when you’re talking about the packaging,” he expanded.
“When you’ve got the ability to have those groups communicating and talking with each other directly over a cup of coffee and within the same facility, that is priceless, and that will pay dividends.
“Maybe it won’t be in ’26, but ’27, ’28, and beyond, long-term for Red Bull, 100% it is the right thing.”
READ MORE – What Christian Horner revealed about Red Bull’s on-track F1 focus prior to dismissal
