Formula One is heading into the biggest set of change in its technical regulations in the history of the sport. Such were the radical demands of the powertrains specified by the FIA working party, this meant an overhaul of the aerodynamics of the car, which will include a moveable front wing operated by the driver.
The increase in the electrical output from around 1/6 of the total current power to 50/50 has been a major headache for the manufacturers whose simulations show on certain circuits where braking (energy recovery) is light, there is a deficit of required electrical power in the mix.
A number of solutions have been suggested, with the teams instructed to ensure they can turn down the electrical mix if it becomes necessary, as discussions in Bahrain earlier this season suggested at certain circuits a 60/40 mix in favour of the combustion engine may be required.
FIA restrict Mercedes style land grab
Red Bull are seeking to do what no other customer team in the history of F1 has achieved and become a power unit manufacturer. This obviously raises questions as to how well their collaboration with Ford will turn out and the persistent view in the paddock is that Mercedes are best positioned to once again dominate the field with their power unit, yet this is merely based on the fact they did that back in 2014 when the last huge engine era began.
Then, there were no restrictions on the manufacturers as they developed the V6 hybrid Turbo’s, with Mercedes reportedly spending more than six times the amount in their research an d design that did Renault. Now there are financial restrictions on the 2026 projects together with maximum testing allowances for each of the manufacturers.
Further, the FIA have specified peak power along with a host of other specifications which include restrictions over the fuel flow rate of the new zero carbon petrol, the tea’s lubricant suppliers are designing.
Whilst expectation are high for Mercedes based on their historic performance there are equally low for Red Bull simply because they are attempting something never done before. Yet guru F1 car designer Adrian Newey has concerns he expressed during pre-season testing this season.
Newey believes one F1 team will dominate
“I think engine manufacturers will have learnt to an extent on the lack of preparation that the rivals to Mercedes did prior to that change [for 2014] but there has to be a chance that one manufacturer will come out well on top and it’ll become a power unit-dominated regulation, at least to start with,” Newey told AMuS.
Also, there are no bail out options for Red Bull should their powertrain not be up to scratch as Honda now reveal they will not be able to provide their current partners with any kind of power unit backup.
Speaking to Japanese Publication Auto Sport Web, Koji Watanabe, the president of the Honda Racing Corporation, dismissed any notion that the relationship between Honda and Red Bull could be reinstated next year. “That is not possible at all,” he said. “Even if we were asked to do it now, it would be too late to make it in time for 2026. The chances are zero.”
Watanabe suggested in January this year, that Honda were in fact “struggling” and would be waiting to the last moment to have their power unit homologated by the FIA. Of course such last minute changes to the architecture would be untested, and Honda risk another year like in 2015 when their powertrain often failed long before the chequered flag on Sunday.
Verstappen bomb to explode in Spa
Honda no backup plan for RBR
In the first nine rounds as the sole supplier of an F1 power unit to McLaren, Honda had 11 engine related issues resulting in either a DNS or a DNF. Ars Technica journalist Jonathan Gitlin asked Watanabe about the development of Honda’s power unit, to which the HRC president replied, “Not so easy. “We are struggling. Now we are trying our best to show the result next year.”
When pressed on what particular problems Honda were finding, Watanabe admitted “Everything is new. The motor is a new 355-kW, very compact one we need. Also the lightweight battery, it’s not so easy to develop. And also the small engine with the big power. Everything is very difficult, but we try our best.”
Prior to his sacking, Christian Horner refused to comment in detail on how the Red Bull powertrain was coming along, despite mocking from Toto Wolff who suggested his arch rivals were way behind plan. The Mercedes boss described Red Bull’s independent engine plans as a “very bold strategy” but questioned their concerns over the 2026 regulations were designed to mask behind the schemes big problems.
Yet Horner’s latest comments on the Red Bull Powertrains project were taken by many to suggest they were behind the progress Mercedes had made. Speaking to assembled media at the British Grand Prix, Christian Horner stated of the 2026 power units: “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.
Horner’s final remarks on RBPT
“Who knows? To expect us to be ahead of Mercedes next year is [unrealistic]. It would be embarrassing for Mercedes if we were, or for any manufacturer,” said the then Red Bull boss. Yet this was no admission of defeat, rather than a baited trap laid for Wolff should Mercedes not be the all conquering powertrain come 2026.
“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,” Horner continued. “There’s everything to play for. 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. 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 per cent it is the right thing,” he concluded. With Horner sacked and the inexperienced Laurent Mekies now handed the entire Red Bull campus, who knows what RBPT will end up delivering, but from now on – its not Christian Horner’s problem anymore.
Bortoleto secret stats reveal true promise
Gabriel Bortoletto is the reigning F2 champion as he embarks on his first year in Formula One. On paper he had one of the toughest jobs of the rookie class of ’25, with his team mate Nico Hulkenberg being recognised as a specialist in qualifying.
It has indeed been a baptism of fire for the young Italian, with the difficult to drove Sauber car bottom of the pile for the first six rounds the year. His fellow rookies have all enjoyed more airtime than Bortoleto, with Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes, Isack Hadjar at the Racing Bulls and Ollie Bearman of Haas all having scored more points than the Sauber driver.
Yet despite only being ahead of Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto in the driver standings, the F1 elder statesmen Fernando Alonso believes Bortoleto is the “greatest of his generation”… READ MORE
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
