Max Verstappen‘s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, has revealed “the good things” he has heard about Red Bull’s 2026 Formula 1 power unit.
The Milton Keynes-based outfit will enter the 2026 F1 grid as an OEM for the first time ever – after partnering up with Ford to produce its own in-house engines.
Naturally, the outlook with respect to its competitiveness is one riddled with apprehension, given the vast unknown it has entered.
That said, Vermeulen, who has been in constant touch with Red Bull, is cautiously optimistic about the team’s chances.
He believes that the pecking order will be pretty clear across the opening few rounds of 2026.
“What’s the reference for next year? Nobody knows,” he told RacingNews365.
“So it will be very clear in the first few races how things are panning out. So we start with a fresh approach.”
He went on to add how his liaisons with the team have ended up in good feedback about the 2026 power unit, yet, what ultimately would decided Red Bull’s fate will be how equipped it is to bounce back if it falls behind its rivals in the opening phase of the season.
“We hear good things about the engine, but what is good? I don’t know, what’s the reference? So let’s wait and see,” added Vermeulen.
“I think the trigger point will be which team is able to turn it around as quickly as possible, if you’re not high in the pecking order.
“So, how to reshuffle the office back in the factory and get new parts on the car to have a quick car. So, let’s see how that pans out. But it’s the same for everyone, so that’s the good part of it.”
Verstappen clan predicts ‘a hell of a season’ in 2026
Verstappen narrowly missed out on a fifth consecutive F1 title to McLaren’s Lando Norris by just two points at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
And while the Woking-based squad is touted to carry forward its form into the latest era of the sport as well, Red Bull has seemingly emerged as the dark horse.
Reports coming from within the paddock suggest the likes of Mercedes and Red Bull have found a grey area within the PU regulations – handing them a couple of tenths.
If true, McLaren would also benefit from being a Mercedes customer outfit; however, Vermeulen is confident that, given how tight the margins were this season, Verstappen’s hunger for more will be a decisive edge in his favour.
“For the moment, we are, absolutely [happy],” he asserted. “I think we had a hell of a season.
“We have a very challenging year ahead. Max is still young, still eager and still very quick. So, all to play for.”
Vermeulen’s analysis also finds credence in the efforts Red Bull has been putting into its 2026 programme.
“We have a good group of people. Red Bull, the motor company, is fully behind it,” he concluded.
“They are fully committed, investing huge amounts of money in engines and the wind tunnel and factory settings, so everything is on green. So let’s see.”
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