Max Verstappen visited Red Bull’s Powertrains facility in Milton Keynes on Thursday, marking a milestone during the team’s celebrations following his win at the ItalianGrand Prix. The four-timeF1 World Champion took this opportunity to receive an update on the development progress of the 2026 power unit that will power his RB22 car next season, as Red Bull prepares for a significant technical transformation.
Following his dominant performance at Monza, Verstappen stopped by Red Bull’s Technology Campus to share the victory moment with team members before touring the Powertrains division. This facility is nearing the rollout of its first independently developed Formula 1 power unit, signaling Red Bull’s transition away from its long-standing engine partnership with Honda, which concludes at the end of the current season.
Behind the Scenes at Milton Keynes: Insights into Red Bull’s Powertrain Development
Verstappen toured the Powertrains building alongside key figures including team bossLaurent Mekies, technical director Ben Hodgkinson, and team advisorHelmut Marko. This visit showcased the collaborative spirit within Red Bull as they prepare to become a fully-fledged power unit manufacturer. The team is pushing to meet the ambitious demands of the 2026 regulations, with the project still in its critical stages of development.
The team issued a statement on social media highlighting the visit:
Image of: Max Verstappen
“Max joined the team in Milton Keynes on Thursday, celebrating the victory and touring Red Bull Ford Powertrains as we continue to prepare for next season’s regulation changes,”
confirming the importance of Verstappen’s involvement in the project.
Understanding the Magnitude of Red Bull’s Transition to Power Unit Manufacturer
Red Bull’s move to build its own power units places it in an exclusive group alongside Ferrari and Mercedes. Laurent Mekies recently acknowledged the enormity of this challenge, agreeing with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s characterization of it as an “Everest to climb.” Mekies remarked that taking full ownership of powertrain development is “as crazy as it gets,” but also fitting for Red Bull’s ambitious ethos.
Mekies emphasized the complexity involved, stating that the team is not expecting instant parity with established manufacturers:
“It would be silly from our side to think we’re going to come here and, right from the start, be at Ferrari’s or Mercedes’ level. That would be silly.”
He added that Red Bull is building the program “step by step” and investing heavily not only in the power unit itself but in the accompanying infrastructure and human resources.
He further explained the mindset within the team:
“We expect a year with a lot of hard work, a lot of sleepless nights next year to try to get to the right level. But it’s a challenge that very much feels like a Red Bull challenge, and we love that.”
Mekies declined to set specific goals for where the team will stand initially, saying:
“We’re not going to put a number on where we think we’ll be – because I don’t think anybody has a number – but we know we’re starting with a mountain to climb, as Toto said.”
Partnership with Ford Reinforces Red Bull’s Powertrain Ambitions
Red Bull Powertrains’ evolution is supported by a partnership with Ford, which brings additional engineering expertise to the project. Ford Racing Global Director Mark Rushbrook shared insights about how this collaboration has matured since discussions began nearly three years ago. He described the partnership as now being very “natural” and deeply integrated due to ongoing close cooperation and frequent exchanges between the two teams.
Rushbrook emphasized this integration by highlighting the leadership of Ben Hodgkinson at Red Bull Powertrains:
“Ben Hodgkinson is a leader for Red Bull Powertrains, with integration with our team, with the number of trips back and forth, or people on site, and just the communication. It’s an integrated team at this point.”
The Ford team remains focused on working alongside Red Bull to develop the power units and infrastructure necessary to meet the demands set by the 2026 Formula 1 regulations.
Leadership Changes Impact the Red Bull Powertrains Environment but Focus Remains Forward
Recent structural shifts in Red Bull’s F1 management have influenced the environment around the powertrain project. Christian Horner, who played a key role in initiating the partnership with Ford and leading Red Bull Racing, was removed from his positions as team boss and CEO and has ceased to have directorship responsibilities across the F1 operations, including Red Bull Powertrains.
Laurent Mekies has stepped into some of the roles left vacant by Horner’s departure. Rushbrook noted a perceptible difference in atmosphere at the Milton Keynes campus following these changes, but highlighted a consistent dedication to progress:
“We knew Laurent, obviously, from where he was in VCARB, and we certainly respect and appreciate him,”
and added,
“It’s certainly a different feel within the campus.”
Rushbrook stressed that the teams remain focused on the future challenges:
“But I think, at this point, everybody is just focused forward.”
He reflected the racing mindset:
“We’re racers, we’ve got to go and develop the best power unit, the best car for 2026. Obviously, we’re putting forward a great effort for 2025, running out the current regulations. But I think the team, it’s a bunch of racers, and they’re focused on continuing to win races and championships going forward.”
The Road Ahead for Max Verstappen and Red Bull Powertrains
Max Verstappen’s visit underscores the close connection between the driver and Red Bull’s technical evolution as the team prepares for one of its biggest challenges. Becoming an autonomous power unit manufacturer is a major step that could redefine the team’s future competitiveness in Formula 1. While the task is daunting, the determination shared by Verstappen, Mekies, Hodkinson, Marko, and their partners at Ford suggests that Red Bull is committed to scaling this “Everest” with patience and focus.
The success of this transition will be critical as the 2026 F1 season approaches, with new technical rules demanding innovative powertrain solutions. Verstappen’s presence at the Powertrains facility also symbolizes the unity between team leadership and driver, which will be essential for navigating the highs and lows of this transformation. The coming months will reveal how quickly Red Bull can close the gap on established manufacturers and maintain its position at the forefront of Formula 1 racing.
