Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has recently engaged in preliminary discussions with McLaren regarding a potential power unit supply deal for the Woking team starting from 2026.
The upcoming 2026 Formula 1 season will witness the introduction of a new generation of power units, featuring enhanced electrical power, improved efficiency, and advanced safety measures. Red Bull's commitment to developing their own engine under the new regulations, in collaboration with American automotive giant Ford, is firmly in place.
During the Bahrain season opener, Horner humorously responded to queries about McLaren's interest in utilizing Red Bull power units from 2026, following a visit by McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown to the reigning champions' facilities. “I thought he [Brown] was coming for lunch,” quipped Horner, highlighting the inevitability of discussions surrounding potential powertrain supply agreements for 2026.
McLaren boss Andrea Stella acknowledged the existence of discussions by stating, “We have a solid partnership with HPP [Mercedes High Performance Powertrains]. At the same time, it’s obvious that looking far forward, you want to understand what's available. So, I think that's natural. It shouldn't be too much of a surprise.”
Furthermore, Williams boss James Vowles hinted at potential changes, mentioning the squad's contemplation of continuing to use Mercedes power units from 2026. With Audi and Ford entering the F1 scene with Sauber and Red Bull respectively, along with current suppliers like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Renault (with Alpine), Horner expressed excitement about the influx of manufacturers heralding a "halcyon period" for the sport.
Horner emphasized the significance of aligning engine and chassis regulations to uphold the quality of racing amidst the industry's evolution, stating, “We've just got to make sure that for 2026 we get the product right...”
Meanwhile, McLaren CEO Zak Brown acknowledged visiting the headquarters of Red Bull's new Red Bull Powertrains project, developed in partnership with Ford. Brown mentioned his relationship with Ford CEO Jim Farley and their previous interactions, indicating the evolving dynamics within F1's power unit landscape.
"I have a great relationship with (Ford CEO) Jim Farley, said Brown. "We met last year and then visited the factory. That was before we decided to extend our contract with Mercedes."
Could we see this partnership in 2026 given the current state of frostiness between the two team principals?
