Verstappen's manager hears ‘good things’ but warns 2026 is unknown

18:34, 20 Dec

Updated: 18:35, 20 Dec

byLuke-John Buckle

Max Verstappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, says he has heard positives about Red Bull's 2026 engine.

"We hear good things about the engine, but what is good? I don't know, what's the reference? So let's wait and see."

- Raymond Vermeulen

Red Bull will be making their own engine for the first time in the team's history since joining the grid in 2005.

The Austrian will become a factory team in collaboration with Ford from the 2026 season.

They will also supply Racing Bulls, and need to hit the ground running at the start of the new ruleset after missing out on both titles this year.

Vermeulen gave his opinion on the Red Bull Powetrains engine when speaking to RacingNews365: "What's the reference for next year? Nobody knows," he begins. "So it will be very clear in the first few races how things are panning out. So we start with a fresh approach.

"We hear good things about the engine, but what is good? I don't know, what's the reference? So let's wait and see.

Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

"I think the trigger point will be which team is able to turn it around as quickly as possible, if you're not high in the pecking order.

"So, how to reshuffle the office back in the factory and get new parts on the car to have a quick car. So, let's see how that pans out. But it's the same for everyone, so that's the good part of it."

Red Bull and Mercedes may have found an advantage

The 2026 season will feature new engines with a 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power.

Red Bull Powertrains and Mercedes may have found a loophole in the rules around the compression ratio.

This may give the two engines an extra 15hp, and that could be worth around three tenths of a second at tracks such as Albert Park.

GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.