Verstappen camp ‘hearing good things’ about Red Bull’s 2026 engine

As Formula 1 edges closer to its great 2026 reset, few questions loom larger than whether Red Bull can successfully pull off one of the boldest moves in its history: building its own power unit from scratch.

With the Milton Keynes squad teaming up with Ford and stepping into OEM territory for the first time, the project is wrapped in uncertainty – and intrigue.

Now, a rare glimpse into Red Bull’s internal mood has emerged from someone at the very heart of Max Verstappen’s camp. His manager, Raymond Vermeulen, admits he is “hearing good things” about the new in-house engine, even if the true competitive picture remains frustratingly opaque.

A clean slate – and early answers

Vermeulen is under no illusion about how disruptive the new regulations will be. For him, the usual benchmarks simply won’t apply once the new cars and power units hit the track.

“What’s the reference for next year? Nobody knows,” Vermeulen told Dutch website RacingNews365.

“So it will be very clear in the first few races how things are panning out. So we start with a fresh approach.”

That expectation of early clarity reflects a wider belief across the paddock that the opening rounds of 2026 will quickly establish who has nailed the new formula – and who hasn’t.

For Red Bull, that moment will be especially revealing, given the leap from customer engines to a fully fledged in-house operation.

Hearing Good Things – But No Guarantees

Despite the scale of the challenge, Vermeulen’s regular contact with Red Bull has left him cautiously upbeat about what is coming out of the factory.

“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,” added Vermeulen.

His hesitation underlines the central tension of the 2026 rules: raw performance matters, but adaptability may matter even more.

According to Vermeulen, Red Bull’s fate may hinge less on where it starts – and more on how quickly it can respond if rivals jump ahead.

“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,” he added.

“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.”

That emphasis on recovery speed feels especially relevant given how tightly packed the grid has become. In 2025, tenths — sometimes hundredths — separated winners from also-rans.

Momentum, Motivation And Murmurs Of A Grey Area

Verstappen will enter 2026 with unfinished business. He narrowly missed out on a fifth straight world title, losing the championship to Lando Norris by just two points in a season finale that underlined how slim the margins now are.

McLaren’s form has made them early favourites for 2026, while persistent paddock whispers suggest Mercedes – and Red Bull – may have uncovered a potential grey area in the new power unit regulations worth a couple of tenths.

If that proves accurate, McLaren would benefit too as a Mercedes customer, tightening the competitive knot even further. But both manufacturers are allegedly under close scrutiny from the FIA.

Yet Vermeulen believes Verstappen’s mindset remains a critical weapon.

“For the moment, we are, absolutely [happy],” he said “I think we had a hell of a season. We have a very challenging year ahead. Max is still young, still eager and still very quick. So, all to play for.”

• Read also: F1 bracing for 2026 engine controversy over ‘thermal loophole’

Beyond the engine itself, Vermeulen is encouraged by the scale of Red Bull’s commitment to the project – financially, technically and culturally.

“We have a good group of people. Red Bull, the motor company, is fully behind it,” he concluded.

“They are fully committed, investing huge amounts of money in engines and the wind tunnel and factory settings, so everything is on green. So let’s see.”

That final caveat – let’s see – captures the mood perfectly. Confidence is growing, optimism is stirring, but certainty remains elusive.

For Red Bull and Verstappen, the countdown to 2026 is no longer about promises. Soon enough, the stopwatch will deliver its verdict.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook