The Mercedes team is considered a powertrain giant in F1, giving the German Marque a solid upper hand over the others. The team is less bothered about its power unit production and focuses solemnly on the racing dynamics. However, new competition could emerge with the PU regulations set to change in 2026.
The biggest name is Red Bull, which partnered with Ford to manufacture advanced engines. The return of the blue oval could shift the power unit paradigm. However, it will face the Silver Arrows in the manufacturing battle. Moreover, the Maranello squad will also be breathing on its collar. Additionally, Helmut Marko made a surprising revelation about a potential Red Bull-Mercedes deal in the hybrid era. But why did this deal never progress beyond the paperwork?
“Not Supported By Toto,” Helmut Marko Reveals The Back Story Of Red Bull-Honda Powertrain Partnership
The Mercedes and Red Bull teams are staunch rivals on the racing field. Even the off-track verbal exchanges are fierce and never-ending. However, these two top F1 teams came close to shaking hands over a powertrain deal. The start of the turbo-hybrid era was a gateway to glory for Mercedes. The team rampaged its way to back-to-back world titles with sheer domination. Thus, despite a second-place finish in the Constructors’ Cup 2014, Red Bull reached a threshold point with its engine supplier, Renault. However, despite the building tension, RBR decided to stick with Renault for three more seasons. Previously, Helmut Marko somehow swayed the RBR owner Dietrich Mateschitz to sign a power unit deal with Mercedes. The Milton Keynes-based outfit was able to draft a deal with the late Niki Lauda (non-executive Chairman at that time). However, Marko revealed the strained relationship with Toto Wolff, which rendered the entire discussion futile.
During his appearance on the Inside Line podcast, Marko asserted that the team owner was not a ‘big fan’ of the rival Mercedes. However, the senior executive somehow convinced him to sign a deal. Ultimately, the deal was pointless, as Wolff didn’t support the idea. Mercedes’s denial paved the way for a Japanese manufacturer, Honda.
The time was slipping away, as Renault could not catch up with the revamped trends. Meanwhile, Honda struggled with McLaren, unable to produce a competitive engine. According to Marko, the RBR management decided to take the risk and signed a deal with Honda in 2019. However, the Austrian claimed he knew it was not a risky move, given the seriousness of the engine manufacturers. Subsequently, he professed that RBR always believes in making brave decisions, as there is no fun without risk. Furthermore, the Honda-Red Bull powertrains propelled the energy drink-based outfit to consecutive world titles, proving it to be a masterstroke.
What To Expect From the Red Bull-Ford Era?
The Bulls will surpass the past partnership to manufacture powertrains. With Ford’s support, Red Bull will manufacture engines for the main and sister teams. Although the team lacks experience as an engine supplier, Ford’s expertise would provide significant support. Therefore, the partnership could be yet another masterstroke, depending on how efficiently the two could work in tandem.
