Christian Horner Praises Red Bull F1 2026 Engine

Christian Horner has praised Red Bull’s power unit department after its engine was judged the strongest combustion unit at the start of the 2026 F1 season.

The verdict came through an FIA ruling under the ADUO, or Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities, system. Under that mechanism, the Milton Keynes-based squad was determined to have the strongest combustion engine in the field.

The judgment was notable because 2026 is the first season in which Red Bull has run its own power unit. However, the downside is that the team is now ineligible to produce an engine upgrade this year, giving its rivals an opportunity to close the gap.

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Horner, who departed the Red Bull team principal role at the same time last year, admitted he was impressed by the engine’s early performance. He framed the achievement as significant because Red Bull’s power unit project remains relatively new compared with established manufacturers.

“Do you know what, seeing that engine... five years ago the factory used to make bubble wrap,” Horner told Sky F1.

“To be judged the best engine in F1 as a startup, I think those guys have done incredibly well.”

Horner also stressed that Red Bull’s achievement was not purely an internal effort. He highlighted the contribution of technical partners, including Exxon Mobil’s fuel and Ford Motor Company’s involvement in the project.

“A big shout out to the partners there as well, Exxon Mobil, with the fuel that they provided, and Ford Motor Company,” he said.

“It was a collective effort, and I think it's underestimated what they've actually done.”

“To have an engine ahead of Ferrari, ahead of Honda, ahead of Audi, ahead of even Mercedes - nobody thought that was possible.”

Horner’s comments frame Red Bull’s engine as one of the key technical stories of early F1 2026. With the FIA rating it highest but the team now unable to upgrade this season, Red Bull must protect its early advantage while rivals gain development scope heading into the next rounds.