Red Bull's 2026 Engine & Verstappen's Future

The world of Formula 1® is never short on whispers, rumours and drama, both on and off the track.

As the British Grand Prix weekend unfolds, Christian Horner has thrown a rather significant gauntlet down, suggesting it would be "embarrassing" for Mercedes if Red Bull Powertrains manages to produce a better engine for the F1® 2026 season, and lets face it when Horner speaks and as one of the most successful Team Bosses of all time you have to listen!

The Long Game: Red Bull Powertrains

For the first time in F1® 2026, Red Bull will produce its engines through its newly established Powertrains division, investing millions of pounds in new staff and facilities. 

A collaboration with the US giant Ford and the soon-to-be-announced name Red Bull Ford Power Trains tells you everything you need to know about how seriously Red Bull and Ford Motorcars are taking the Future in F1®. 

So, Max Verstappen will be taking a massive risk by jumping ship to the Mercedes F1® team and joining Toto Wolff.

Christian insists that the launch of Red Bull Ford Powertrains will bring significant long-term advantages to the team. 

"Things go in cycles and sport goes in cycles," Horner stated. "We’ve had two incredibly successful cycles in Formula 1®, and what we want to do is build towards the next cycle."

Being a full-engine owner is a serious strategy; having the chassis and power unit design teams under one roof is a massive advantage for packaging and overall car concept – a synergy that established manufacturers like Ferrari and Mercedes have long enjoyed. 

This is the next step and plan for Red Bull Racing.

Max Verstappen: The Contractual Crossroads

Amidst this ambitious engine project, the future of Max Verstappen remains a topic of great interest. Despite being under contract with Red Bull until the end of the F1® 2028 season, speculation about a sensational move to Mercedes at the end of this year has persisted. 

However, I imagine a board of Directors at Mercedes-Benz Automotive wanting Max Verstappen as their major ambassador for the car giant's brand. 

What better than a European race driver who is globally famous with four world title championships, who is a once-in-a-lifetime talent, and who could easily win another five or six world driver championships? 

For Mercedes, it would be a marketing dream, especially if Max went on a run of World Championship wins, like Lewis Hamilton did under the umbrella of Mercedes and the winning influence of Toto Wolff.

It's widely believed that Verstappen can activate an exit clause if he falls below fourth in the Drivers’ Championship after the Hungarian Grand Prix next month, which is the final race before the summer break.

Reports last week indicated that the young Dutchman is close to sealing a deal with Mercedes for the 2026 F1 season, pending approval from the Mercedes board.

Horner's Confidence vs. The Clock

Horner, however, remains confident that Red Bull is the right long-term home for Max.

However, will Max leave the protection of Christian Horner and the Red Bull home he's known for so long? 

The new rules for F1® 2026 are poised to shake up the established pecking order, featuring 50% electric and fully sustainable fuels.

It's a gamble for any driver. The biggest question remains: what will be the competitive pecking order when the dust settles on this new era?

It's all incredibly intriguing to see how this high-stakes game of chess is unfolding.

And as always, when the lights go out and the drama unfolds, here at Senate Grand Prix, there is only one winner, and that's you, the race fans!