Max Verstappen has expressed satisfaction with the Red Bull Powertrains-Ford power unit’s performance during the 2026 Formula 1 season. The Dutchman stated he and the team are “very happy” with the venture’s start.
This assessment follows Verstappen’s victories in the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia and the Singapore Grand Prix. He also secured a win in the Singapore Sprint.
The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, originally scheduled for Sakhir in April, was relocated to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia and held on October 4, 2026.
Verstappen claimed his first win of the 2026 season at this rain-affected event, leading Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton on the podium.
Former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who departed after the 2025 British Grand Prix, conveyed feelings of being “hurt and robbed” watching Verstappen’s initial Red Bull Powertrains victory.
Horner played a significant role in establishing the engine division after Honda’s decision to exit Formula 1.
Red Bull subsequently formed its own power unit division, partnering with Ford for the 2026 regulations.
The Red Bull Ford Powertrains collaboration began development in 2023 and will supply power units to both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls until at least 2030.
The power unit, designated DM01 in honour of Dietrich Mateschitz, features a 1.6-litre hybrid turbocharged V6 engine.
The FIA officially declared Red Bull’s internal combustion engine (ICE) as the most powerful on the 2026 grid following its second ADUO assessment.
This assessment, released after the Dutch Grand Prix, meant Red Bull received no upgrade tokens.
Mercedes, Audi, Ferrari, and Honda were granted additional development tokens to address their power deficits.
Despite Red Bull’s leading ICE, Mercedes has secured eight victories in the first twelve races of 2026.
This suggests Mercedes may possess a superior overall power unit package, considering electrical components contribute significantly to performance.
Red Bull’s engine performance improved through calibration and energy management, rather than new hardware, due to ADUO restrictions.
Pre-season testing in Bahrain saw Verstappen complete extensive mileage, with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff identifying the Red Bull car and engine as “the benchmark.”
The RB22 chassis also received an upgrade at Baku, enhancing its predictability and balance.
Verstappen recently extended his contract with Red Bull through the 2030 season.
He currently holds fourth position in the F1 2026 Drivers’ standings, 17 points behind George Russell, who is in second place.
“But of course, we are now very happy with how we started. I mean, it could be much worse, as we can see in other places in the paddock.”
