Helmut Marko claims Mercedes is roughly on level with Red Bull while they are ‘miles ahead’ from Audi and Ferrari in 2026 engine development

Ford will be Red Bull’s power unit supplier from the 2026 season.

Helmut Marko claims Mercedes is roughly on level with Red Bull while they are ‘miles ahead’ from Audi and Ferrari in 2026 engine development

Toto Wolff (Image credit: Autosport) and Helmut Marko (Image credit: PlanetF1)

Red Bull maintains a conspicuous lead over their rivals this season, resulting in a remarkable display of dominance in their victories. Although Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, previously acknowledged an anticipated decline in their engine’s potency, Dr. Helmut Marko, the F1 advisor for Red Bull, has unveiled a striking revelation: their powertrains outshine those of their competitors by a significant margin.

Helmut Marko emphasized that their lead over Audi and Ferrari was substantial, with Mercedes relatively competitive. Looking ahead, the Red Bull advisor revealed their plans to have a fully functional internal combustion engine with operational MGU-K and battery by August.

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“We are miles ahead of Audi, we are miles ahead of Ferrari, and Mercedes is roughly on the same level. In August, we’ll have a complete internal combustion engine with MGU-K and battery running,” Helmut Marko said, according to Motorsport-Total.

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Also read: Helmut Marko SLAMS Toto Wolff for claiming Red Bull is behind schedule in 2026 engine development

2026 season to bring new hybrid power units for Red Bull and AlphaTauri

Red Bull Ford partnership (Image credit: grand prix 247)

Amidst Formula 1’s evolving landscape, regulation changes have triggered a strategic showdown. The upcoming 2026 season spotlights engine rules, a subject of fierce debate. Red Bull Racing leads the charge, seeking adjustments, but faces resistance from fellow Formula 1 manufacturers. As Red Bull partnered with Ford as their engine supplier for the 2026 season, Helmut Marko has high expectations for the Milton Keynes team.

In February 2023, Red Bull made a significant announcement regarding their partnership with Ford. They were marking the imminent return of the engine manufacturer to the world of Formula 1. Ford’s technical collaboration with the Red Bull Powertrain has already commenced this season, paving the way for a deeper engagement.

Beginning from the 2026 season, the two entities will collaborate closely on crafting hybrid power units to be employed by both the RBR and AlphaTauri teams. The upcoming 2026 season is poised to usher in new engine regulations, signifying the inception of a novel era. This shift holds remarkable significance, marking the first substantial transformation since the advent of the turbo-hybrid era in 2014. The 2022 season also introduced fresh regulations, primarily focused on refining car aerodynamics.

Red Bull is currently leading the drivers’ and the constructors’ standings by a comfortable margin. Max Verstappen is on track to win his third consecutive title as his teammate Sergio Perez trails behind in second.

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