Horner expects Red Bull "to be in a competitive position" despite building its own power unit from 2026
Former Red Bull team boss Christian Horner stated that he expects the Milton Keynes-based outfit "to be in a competitive position" despite building its own power unit from 2026.
Red Bull dominated the start of the ground-effect technical era which came into effect in 2022. The Milton Keynes-based team secured the teams' title in 2022 and 2023, albeit it failed to repeat this feat last season as McLaren snatched aways the constructors' title.
The Austrian-British outfit helped Max Verstappen secure his second title in 2022, and the Dutchman was able to add futher two titles to his records in the following two seasons
However, Red Bull endured a tough end to the 2024 season, and the team was seemingly unable to improve its competitiveness for the current season. Although Verstappen took two brilliant victories in Japan and Italy at the start of the season, he finds himself over 60 points adrift of championship leader Oscar Piastri.
This season marks the final year of the current technical regulation, with next year set to bring an entirely new regulation for the power units and the aerodynamic regulation will also go through several modifications.
Red Bull will not only need to adapt to the new regulations, but the energy drink company-owned team will also build its first own Formula One power unit, having established its own engine department a few years ago.
Asked about his feelings about Red Bull's chances for the coming years, Horner claimed that he expects the Milton Keynes-based outfit "to be in a competitive position" despite building its own power unit from 2026.
"I mean, Sebastian [Vettel] left after there was a significant regulation change. Obviously 2014 and its engine, smashed all of us, and he got a dream offer from Ferrari and decided that that was his future path.
"I remember Dietrich Mateschitz telling me at the time, we don't need the best driver if we don't have the best car. At that stage, it was about building a team and building… Things go in cycles and sport goes in cycles. We've had two incredibly successful cycles in Formula 1, and what we want to do is build towards the next cycle.
"Now, of course, we want that to be with Max, but we understand the pressure that there is next year, with us coming in as a new power unit manufacturer. The challenge of that is enormous. But we've got a hugely capable group of people. We've invested significantly. We've got a great culture within the team.
"Who knows? To expect us to be ahead of Mercedes next year is… It would be embarrassing for Mercedes if we were, or for any manufacturer. But I think we're going to be in a competitive position, potentially even to where we are today relative to our other PU manufacturers. There's everything to play for.
"What's great is having it all under one roof, chassis engineers sitting next to engine engineers. That shouldn't be underestimated when you're talking about the packaging.
"When you've got the ability to have those groups communicating and talking with each other directly over a cup of coffee and within the same facility, that is priceless, and that will pay dividends. Maybe it won't be in '26, but '27, '28, and beyond, long term for Red Bull, 100% it is the right thing."
