In the 2026 F1 season, Red Bull is expected to have a distinct engine advantage over new competitor Audi, according to Binotto.
Mattia Binotto, the new head at Audi F1, believes that Red Bull does not start from as blank a slate as his team regarding the power unit.
Audi and Red Bull will both become engine manufacturers in F1 for the first time in 2026, when new regulations are introduced.
Although Red Bull has been in the sport since 2005 and is partnering with Ford for this, it represents a significant step for the Milton Keynes-based team. For Audi, which had experience with hybrid engines in Endurance a few years ago, this will be a completely new project.
So, who will come out on top?
“I can’t say anything about Red Bull because, in the end, I can only focus on ourselves,” admits the Italian.
“What can I say? It’s a huge task. But I think for Audi, it’s one of the most important, because being the brand of our own powertrain is a key element of the project.”
“It’s a key element of our goals, not only to be a championship-winning chassis manufacturer in F1 but to be a full-fledged manufacturer—chassis and powertrain—but we know the task is huge.”
Although this is the first time Red Bull is manufacturing its own power unit in F1, Binotto believes the team has “some experience” in the field.
Red Bull has built a facility in Milton Keynes and created the Red Bull Powertrains department, which is currently collaborating with Honda. Although it does not directly build the current engines for its team and RB F1, it has likely seen how Honda handles most of the process.
“It’s a big investment. And I think Red Bull has thus gained some experience on the powertrain.”
“I know how difficult it is to set up a complete organization in F1, as it’s not just about design development. It also involves processes for reliability, track management, logistics; there is still a lot of experience to be gained for us but that Red Bull was able to study with Honda.”
“But again, we have good people. That’s all we need to do well, and we will benefit from full support. Nevertheless, it remains a very significant task.”
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Red Bull’s Engine Superiority in 2026, Binotto Says Red Bull’s Engine Superiority in 2026, Binotto Says
