Red Bull 'miles ahead' in 2026 engine development - Marko

Marko fuels engine regulation debate

With Formula 1's next engine era arriving in 2026, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko asserts his team already holds a sizable lead in development over rivals with their inaugural power unit.

In an interview with Motorsport-total, Marko refuted claims that Red Bull is lagging in engine progress.

"I don't think we're technically lagging behind. We have people from Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault and Cosworth [brought in for the engine department]," Marko emphasized.

He revealed "In August, a complete internal combustion engine with MGU-K and battery is still running."

"We are miles ahead of Audi, we are miles ahead of Ferrari, and Mercedes is roughly the same."

Marko highlighted Red Bull's personnel assets, noting "We have Ford as a partner in the sector.

We have absolute top people with the combustion engine. And we have two very bright heads on the electrical side."

He added their new engine facility in Milton Keynes is "state of the art."

This contrasts with Audi, who indicated mere months ago that their first hybrid prototype was still in development.

Yet Red Bull has already reached that milestone.

Red Bull wants changes to 2026 engine regulations

However, Marko remains unsatisfied with the 2026 regulations mandating a 50/50 split between electric and combustion power units.

"We are just passionate racers and we are worried. We are not in Formula 1 to get rich. We want there to be really good sport again. And we have concerns about that," Marko stated.

He fears the electric emphasis could force drivers to lift on straights as energy depletes.

“F1 is ultimately a show. We have to offer the audience something. It cannot be that we have to switch back on the straight in Monza. There is a certain discrepancy,” Marko argued.

Marko wants adjustments to rebalance the ratio to 60/40 in favor of combustion. But manufacturers dispute his claim this is needed.

"Every car manufacturer says that the battery will be half as heavy and will have a double range in three years. But that's not a fact," Marko countered.

Safety is another concern. "The weight is a safety risk. The Silverstone accident, which Max [Verstappen] had topping up in 2021, can be very different with such a heavy battery," Marko warned.

While Red Bull presses for revisions, Mercedes and Ferrari oppose changes.

"[Fred] Vasseur maintains his love affair with Toto [ Wolff ]", Marko smiles with regard to the team bosses of Ferrari and Mercedes.