Red Bull Racing and Ford have reportedly made significant progress with their 2026 power unit development, dispelling earlier concerns about falling behind rival manufacturers. The breakthrough comes as the Milton Keynes-based outfit continues preparations for Formula 1’s next regulatory era, with the Austrian team now expressing considerable confidence about their in-house engine programme. Meanwhile, the departure of Sergio Pérez continues to generate headlines, with the Mexican driver’s father publicly praising his son’s candid recent interview criticising Red Bull’s handling of the situation.
Power unit development ahead of schedule
According to reports from FunoAnalisiTecnica, Red Bull Ford has overcome critical technical obstacles that previously threatened to delay their 2026 engine programme. The team initially faced scepticism about whether they could develop a competitive power unit from scratch after ending their partnership with Honda, but recent testing data suggests the Anglo-Austrian operation has closed the gap to established manufacturers.
The power unit will bear Ford’s name as part of a technical partnership announced in 2023, marking the American manufacturer’s return to Formula 1 after two decades away from the sport. Red Bull’s Powertrains division in Milton Keynes has expanded significantly, recruiting engineers from Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault to build the infrastructure necessary for designing and producing their own engines.
Sources close to the project indicate that dyno testing has yielded encouraging results, with reliability figures now meeting internal benchmarks. The 2026 regulations introduce substantially different power unit architecture, including increased electrical power output and sustainable fuels, presenting both challenges and opportunities for all manufacturers.
Verstappen and Ricciardo reunion ignites social media
Ford Racing released a teaser video featuring both Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo, sending Formula 1 fans into a frenzy ahead of their 15 January launch event in Michigan. The promotional material reunites the former Red Bull teammates, evoking memories of their successful partnership between 2016 and 2018 when they secured multiple race victories together.
Ricciardo’s appearance in Ford promotional material sparked immediate speculation about his future role, given his departure from the RB seat at the end of 2024. The Australian driver remains a popular figure in the paddock despite losing his race seat, and his involvement in Ford’s marketing activities suggests a potential ambassadorial role with the Red Bull organisation.
The Michigan event will showcase the Ford-Red Bull partnership to an American audience, reflecting Formula 1’s growing commercial footprint in the United States. Red Bull’s commitment to engaging with Ford’s heritage and fanbase represents a strategic effort to differentiate their power unit project from purely European manufacturers.
Coronel interprets Wolff’s Barcelona reaction as Mercedes talks evidence
Dutch racing driver Tom Coronel has claimed that Toto Wolff’s measured response to George Russell‘s controversial collision with Verstappen at the Spanish Grand Prix last season revealed ongoing negotiations between Mercedes and the four-time world champion. Coronel suggested that Wolff’s unusually calm demeanour during post-race interviews, despite his driver nearly causing a significant incident, indicated the Mercedes team principal was protecting a potential future relationship.
The speculation about Verstappen potentially joining Mercedes intensified throughout 2024 as Red Bull’s competitive advantage diminished. Lewis Hamilton‘s shock move to Ferrari created an opening at Mercedes, prompting widespread discussion about whether Verstappen might consider leaving the team where he has won all four of his world championships.
Ultimately, Mercedes promoted teenage prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli to partner George Russell for 2025, ending speculation about Verstappen’s immediate future. The 18-year-old Italian’s appointment represents a long-term investment by Mercedes, suggesting they have moved past any serious pursuit of the Dutchman for the current regulatory cycle.
Coulthard sees Verstappen as ultimate combination of F1 legends
Former Red Bull driver David Coulthard has praised Verstappen as a synthesis of Formula 1’s greatest champions, combining Michael Schumacher’s ruthless determination, Lewis Hamilton’s raw speed and Ayrton Senna’s unshakeable self-belief. The Scottish broadcaster’s assessment reflects growing recognition that Verstappen’s fourth consecutive title solidifies his status among the sport’s all-time elite.
Coulthard’s comparison to Schumacher carries particular weight given both drivers’ willingness to push competitive boundaries, while the reference to Hamilton’s pace acknowledges Verstappen’s qualifying prowess and race craft. The Senna comparison addresses the psychological dimension of Verstappen’s dominance, particularly his ability to impose his will on championship battles.
The 2024 season tested Verstappen’s abilities more thoroughly than previous campaigns, with McLaren emerging as genuine championship contenders during the second half. His ability to secure the drivers’ title despite Red Bull losing the constructors’ championship demonstrated the individual brilliance that Coulthard highlighted.
Pérez family celebrates candid Red Bull criticism
Antonio Pérez has publicly endorsed his son Sergio’s outspoken recent interview, describing it as “the best interview of Checo Pérez’s life” after the former Red Bull driver criticised the team’s treatment during his difficult final season. The Mexican driver’s willingness to speak frankly about internal team dynamics represents a departure from his typically diplomatic public persona.
Sergio Pérez’s exit from Red Bull after three and a half seasons concluded a partnership that delivered multiple race victories but ultimately failed to meet performance expectations. His replacement by Liam Lawson for 2025 reflects Red Bull’s determination to challenge for both championships after surrendering the constructors’ title to McLaren last season.
The elder Pérez’s support for his son’s comments suggests the family believes Sergio’s reputation suffered unfairly during 2024, when persistent speculation about his seat security became a constant distraction. Whether these criticisms will affect Pérez’s prospects for returning to the grid in future seasons remains uncertain.
What this means going forward
Red Bull’s apparent power unit breakthrough could prove decisive for maintaining their competitive position beyond 2026, when engine performance will once again become central to championship success. The team’s ability to develop a reliable and powerful engine in-house would eliminate dependency on external suppliers, providing strategic flexibility that has eluded them since Honda’s initial departure.
The Ford partnership also strengthens Red Bull’s commercial position in North America, where Liberty Media continues expanding Formula 1’s presence with three US races on the calendar. As the 2025 season approaches, attention will shift to whether the team can reclaim the constructors’ championship with Verstappen and Lawson’s revised driver lineup, setting the foundation for their engine programme’s debut the following year.
