Helmut Marko says there is no “plan B” if Red Bull fails to build its own powertrains in time for 2026.
Red Bull enters its penultimate season forced to use Honda engines in 2024, and the team managed to convince the outgoing manufacturer to maintain a steady source of strength for the four-year engine freeze that occurred without delay after its official exit from the game.
With no need for studies or progression, it has been a successful deal for Red Bull, but time is running out for 2026 as they embark on the production of their own engines, dubbed Red Bull Powertrains, for the start of the new rules cycle.
More than two years after the arrival of the new engines, brands are in the midst of a progression, and Red Bull is no exception in this regard.
Last week, Italian media reported that Ferrari had for the first time launched a 2026-compatible engine under existing regulations, with Helmut Marko giving an update on the progress of the RBPT.
“Although we are still far from competitive use, everything is going according to plan and the functionality curve is correct,” Marko told Austrian newspaper OE24.
But, while Honda is also returning to the game in an official capacity, as they signed a deal to supply Aston Martin, is there a contingency plan for Red Bull and sister team AlphaTauri to bring in their existing partners as a source if the RBPT engines are sufficient?
“No, it has to work,” Marko replied. What if Honda represented a “Plan B”?
“From 2026, we will be racing with our own engine. Until then, we want the best possible performance potential from Honda, which has worked well so far.
“I honed my contract, so I’ll continue to take care of it. “
Although Marko used to travel to Japan to paint with Honda, he confirms that he doesn’t have to anymore: “No, everything is prepared so that I don’t have to go there anymore. 24 races are enough for me and one of them is in Japan anyway.
Ranking: Top 10 F1 2023 drivers voted through 10 bosses
Predicting the team’s next driver: Norris to Red Bull?Meatball to Ferrari?
Max Verstappen is a guy who wants the RBPT engine to work. The three-time world champion has all the ingredients to fight for titles in 2024 and 2025, but that prestige can be replaced in 2026 with the arrival of Red Bull. their own engines.
Does the Dutch driver see Red Bull’s dominance threatened by the rules update and the arrival of an independent engine?
“A difficult set with a footprint,” he told Swiss newspaper Blick.
“But many other people are taking part in this Red Bull Powertrains task in Milton Keynes.
“We don’t need to be caught off guard in 2026. We’ll see. “
Read next: Ron Dennis knighted: A footnote on McLaren boss’s forgotten F1 career