The FIA considers Red Bull’s internal combustion engine as the reference in 2026. But Max Verstappen believes that this measure masks a very different reality compared to Mercedes.
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Does Red Bull really have the best engine on the grid? The data used by the FIA within the ADUO system seems to indicate so, but Max Verstappen urges not to draw conclusions too quickly.
During the first evaluations carried out this season, the internal combustion engine developed by Red Bull-Ford Powertrains was considered the reference. Mercedes would show a deficit between 2 and 4%, while Ferrari, Audi, and Honda would be beyond this threshold. A hierarchy that notably determines the additional development possibilities granted to the different engine manufacturers.
Red Bull challenges the FIA’s conclusions
The problem comes from the method used. The ADUO system evaluates only the performance of the internal combustion engine and not that of the entire hybrid power unit. The performance of the battery and the electrical system can therefore significantly alter the hierarchy once the cars are on track.
Red Bull officially challenged the FIA’s conclusions earlier in the season. Laurent Mekies had stated that the data collected by his team showed no obvious advantage over Mercedes.
“We would certainly like to have a more in-depth discussion on this subject, because we do not see a single data sample indicating that we have an advantage over our friends at Mercedes.”
A position now supported by Verstappen, who believes that comparing only the internal combustion engine does not allow measuring the overall performance of a power unit.
Verstappen points out the difference with Mercedes
The four-time world champion acknowledges that Red Bull may indeed have an excellent internal combustion engine. But that does not necessarily mean that the entire powertrain has an advantage over Mercedes.
“The problem is that you measure the internal combustion engine, but not the battery, right? So these are two different things.”
According to Verstappen, Mercedes seems capable of compensating for a possible weakness in its internal combustion engine thanks to the electric part. In the end, the total amount of power available to the drivers would therefore be much closer than the ranking established by the FIA suggests.
“In the end, they deploy almost the same amount of power. If you only measure one element, we may be very strong with the internal combustion engine, but perhaps less so on the battery side compared to Mercedes.”
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The Dutchman nevertheless acknowledges that it remains particularly difficult to precisely establish the contribution of each element from the outside.
“It’s very hard to know. But in terms of energy deployment, that’s what the situation seems to show currently.”
An advantage that does not necessarily show on track
This distinction helps explain an apparent anomaly. On paper, Red Bull has the reference internal combustion engine according to the FIA’s evaluations. Yet, the Milton Keynes team does not seem to benefit from an equivalent advantage in terms of overall power compared to Mercedes.
The hybrid system now plays a major role in the performance of power units. Excellent efficiency of the internal combustion engine can therefore be offset by a less efficient electrical system, notably in the management and deployment of energy during a lap.
It is precisely for this reason that Verstappen refuses to consider the FIA ranking as proof that Red Bull currently has the best Formula 1 powertrain.
Verstappen expects even more from Red Bull
Rather than being satisfied with this theoretical advantage, Verstappen prefers to put pressure on his team. According to him, Red Bull must continue to progress in all areas, whether it is the chassis, the internal combustion engine, or the electrical part.
“We just have to do a better job. We will continue to work and try to improve in all areas: the car, the engine, the battery, all of that.”
The development of the Red Bull-Ford powertrain remains relatively recent and the team still has to learn to fully exploit its entire hybrid system. Verstappen therefore warns that patience will be needed before unleashing its full potential.
“It’s an ongoing development process that we have to keep working on, but it takes time.”
The FIA’s figures thus place Red Bull ahead of Mercedes on a specific criterion, but Verstappen refuses to see it as technical dominance. For the four-time world champion, only the power actually available on track counts. And in this area, Red Bull’s theoretical advantage seems much less obvious for now.
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