Red Bull deny having best F1 engine, expect major upgrade opportunity in coming races

Red Bull Racing has firmly rejected suggestions that their RB22 features the strongest power unit in Formula 1, with team principal Christian Horner insisting competitors Honda, Ferrari, and Mercedes remain formidable in the engine department. Despite Red Bull's strong start to the 2026 season, Horner has been quick to dampen any talk of superiority, pointing to the tight competitive hierarchy that currently exists across the grid.

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Speaking at a press conference ahead of this weekend's race, Horner stated: "The power unit landscape is incredibly tight right now. We've seen wins from four different manufacturers already this season, which tells you everything you need to know about how competitive things are. We certainly don't believe we have the best engine – that's a narrative that doesn't reflect the reality of what we're seeing on track."

Technical director Pierre Waché added context to the team's philosophy, explaining that Red Bull's strength lies in the overall package rather than raw engine power alone. "Our chassis development and aerodynamic efficiency have been strong points," Waché noted. "We have a solid power unit from Honda, but our car excels in other areas. We've identified significant development potential, particularly in our aerodynamic package and power unit integration."

Red Bull has confirmed a major upgrade package is scheduled for introduction at the Spanish Grand Prix in June, with further developments planned throughout the summer. The team believes these updates could close any remaining gaps to their rivals. Honda's engineers have been working intensively on engine refinements, with sources suggesting the Japanese manufacturer is targeting improvements in both power output and fuel efficiency.

The RB22 currently leads the constructors' championship by 23 points, with Max Verstappen having secured three victories from five races. However, Lando Norris in the McLaren and Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari have pushed the Dutchman to the limit in several contests, suggesting the title race will remain fiercely contested. Horner emphasised that maintaining development momentum is crucial as the season progresses into the crucial European leg.