Red Bull's path to power unit prowess: From Mercedes snub to Honda success
Red Bull's Helmut Marko reveals a blocked Mercedes engine deal led to their successful Honda partnership. Now, as they prepare to become engine manufacturers in 2026, Red Bull aims to continue their winning ways with their own power units.
Marko reveals blocked Mercedes deal led to Honda partnership and future manufacturer status
Red Bull's journey to becoming a Formula 1 powerhouse has been marked by bold decisions and unexpected twists.
In a recent revelation, team advisor Helmut Marko shed light on a crucial moment that shaped the team's power unit strategy, ultimately leading to their current dominance and future plans as an engine manufacturer.
The Mercedes deal that never was
As the V6 turbo-hybrid era dawned in 2014, Red Bull found themselves struggling with an uncompetitive Renault power unit.
Desperate to remain at the sharp end of the grid, the team explored alternative options. Marko disclosed a surprising development from this period on the Inside Line F1 podcast:
"We had a deal with Mercedes, a handshake deal with Lauda, which was not supported by Toto, so the deal didn't happen."
This handshake agreement with the late Niki Lauda, then non-executive chairman of Mercedes, was ultimately vetoed by team principal Toto Wolff.
The blocked deal forced Red Bull to look elsewhere, setting the stage for their next big move.
Taking a chance on Honda
With Mercedes off the table, Red Bull took what Marko describes as a "risk" by partnering with Honda.
The Japanese manufacturer had just endured a tumultuous relationship with McLaren, famously criticized by Fernando Alonso as producing a "GP2 engine".
However, Marko's decision was not made blindly.
"I had some insider information what they are planning to do,"
he revealed.
"So we said, 'Yes, we go ahead, we take this risk', which I believed it wasn't a risk, because I knew how much they spent on dynos."
This insider knowledge, coupled with Red Bull's ethos of "no risk, no fun," led to a partnership that would redefine the team's fortunes.
From customer to manufacturer
The Honda partnership has proven immensely successful, yielding three Constructors' and four Drivers' championships.
However, as F1 prepares for new power unit regulations in 2026, Red Bull is set to evolve once again.
"I think the next benchmark is we will have our own engine,"
Marko stated, highlighting the team's ambitious plans to become a full-fledged manufacturer in partnership with Ford.
This transition represents a significant step for Red Bull, both financially and operationally.
"That will be also the aim for the future,"
Marko added, emphasizing the team's commitment to innovation and success.
As Red Bull prepares to write the next chapter in its F1 story, the team's journey from customer to manufacturer serves as a testament to their adaptability and ambition.
With their track record of turning bold decisions into on-track success, the paddock will be watching closely as Red Bull takes on this new challenge in 2026 and beyond.
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