Red Bull’s 2026 Gamble: Horner Faces F1’s Biggest Reset

Horner Skips Ahead to 2026: Red Bull’s Toughest Test Looms

16/03/2025

Christian Horner is leading Red Bull into F1’s biggest transformation yet, with a bold move to develop an in-house engine for 2026.

Red Bull isn’t off to a strong start in 2025, with the RB21 struggling to deliver the expected performance. But that’s not the only challenge the team is facing.

Team principal Christian Horner admits he’s already deeply immersed in preparations for 2026. Beyond designing an entirely new chassis, Red Bull is also working on its first in-house engine, developed under the Red Bull Powertrains banner in collaboration with Ford for the hybrid components.

“For me, this new chapter is incredibly exciting. It’s by far our biggest challenge yet, and it’s not for the faint-hearted. It’s going to be an epic journey, one that I’m looking forward to and truly enjoying.”

Red Bull’s Bold Gamble: Building Their Own Engine

Over the years, Red Bull has seen massive success designing its own chassis while partnering with different engine suppliers, from Renault to, more recently, Honda. But with the new 2026 engine regulations, the team felt it was the right time to take full control of its destiny.

“It’s a race against time because, this time next year, these engines will be running in our Grand Prix cars.”

This shift is monumental. In 2026, Formula 1 cars will be 30 kg lighter, 10 cm narrower, run on fully sustainable fuels, and feature a 50-50 hybrid-electric and combustion engine setup. Red Bull must adapt to all these changes in one go—a major technical challenge.

A Steep Learning Curve Ahead

Horner remains realistic about the uphill battle Red Bull faces against established engine manufacturers.

“The challenge is massive, and it would be naive to think we’ll instantly outperform rivals who have been both constructors and engine suppliers for years.”

However, this long-term commitment is about securing Red Bull’s future in F1. By producing its own power unit, the team ensures it won’t be dependent on external manufacturers, safeguarding its independence even if another engine supplier exits the sport.

“The 2026 regulations are a complete reset. Forget everything you knew before—this is a clean slate. Nothing carries over.”

With the clock ticking, Red Bull is racing against time to be ready for the first Grand Prix of 2026. But with a strong team, world-class facilities, and a winning culture, Horner is confident they’ll rise to the occasion.

“This is the ultimate race against time. We have incredible people, an amazing culture, and top-tier facilities. Now, it’s about pushing to be ready for that first race in 2026.”

Horner’s 2026 Mission: Red Bull’s Race Against Time

Red Bull’s 2026 Gamble: Horner Faces F1’s Biggest Reset Red Bull’s 2026 Gamble: Horner Faces F1’s Biggest Reset

Race Center
China Flag
Chinese GP
21 Mar 2025 - 23 Mar 2025
Free Practice 1
21 MAR 03:30 - 04:30
Sprint Qual
21 MAR 07:30 - 08:14
Sprint Race
22 MAR 03:00 - 04:00
Qualifying
22 MAR 07:00 - 08:00
Race
23 MAR 07:00 - 09:00

2025 F1 Australian Grand Prix - Race Results

Lando Norris
1
LANDO
NORRIS
57
Max Verstappen
2
MAX
VERSTAPPEN
+0.895s
George Russell
3
GEORGE
RUSSELL
+8.481s
Alex Albon
4
ALEX
ALBON
+12.773s
Kimi Antonelli
5
KIMI
ANTONELLI
+15.135s
Lance Stroll
6
LANCE
STROLL
+17.413s
Nico Hulkenberg
7
NICO
HULKENBERG
+18.423s
Charles Leclerc
8
CHARLES
LECLERC
+19.826s
Oscar Piastri
9
OSCAR
PIASTRI
+20.448s
Lewis Hamilton
10
LEWIS
HAMILTON
+22.473s
Pierre Gasly
11
PIERRE
GASLY
+26.502s
Yuki Tsunoda
12
YUKI
TSUNODA
+29.884s
Esteban Ocon
13
ESTEBAN
OCON
+33.161s
Oliver Bearman
14
OLIVER
BEARMAN
+40.351s
Liam Lawson
15
LIAM
LAWSON
47 DNF
Gabriel Bortoleto
16
GABRIEL
BORTOLETO
47 DNF
Fernando Alonso
17
FERNANDO
ALONSO
34 DNF
Carlos Sainz
18
CARLOS
SAINZ
0 DNF
Jack Doohan
19
JACK
DOOHAN
0 DNF
Isack Hadjar
20
ISACK
HADJAR
0 DNF
F1 CALENDAR 2025
Race
Date
Chinese Flag
Chinese
Shanghai International
23 Mar
Japanese Flag
Japanese
Suzuka Circuit
6 Apr
Bahrain Flag
Bahrain
Sakhir desert
13 Apr
Saudi Arabia Flag
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street
20 Apr
United States Flag
United States
Miami
04 May

2025 FORMULA 1 DRIVERS' WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Lando Norris
1
LANDO
NORRIS
25 Points
Max Verstappen
2
MAX
VERSTAPPEN
18
George Russell
3
GEORGE
RUSSELL
15
Alex Albon
4
ALEX
ALBON
12
Kimi Antonelli
5
KIMI
ANTONELLI
10
Lance Stroll
6
LANCE
STROLL
8
Nico Hulkenberg
7
NICO
HULKENBERG
6
Charles Leclerc
8
CHARLES
LECLERC
4
Oscar Piastri
9
OSCAR
PIASTRI
2
Lewis Hamilton
10
LEWIS
HAMILTON
1

2025 FORMULA 1 CONSTRUCTORS' WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

1
McLaren
27
2
Mercedes
25
3
Red Bull
18
4
Williams
12
5
Aston Martin
8
6
Sauber
6
7
Ferrari
5
8
Alpine F1
0
9
Haas F1
0
10
Racing Bulls
0
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