As Motorsport.com reports, the journey to Red Bull's first Formula 1 victory with its own power unit in Malaysia was anything but straightforward. Former key figures Christian Horner, Helmut Marko, and Dietrich Mateschitz laid the groundwork for a project that Horner noted was just "a hole in the ground" five years ago. Now, Red Bull Ford Powertrains has shaken up the grid, with the FIA even ranking their internal combustion engine as the best in the field.
That stellar status comes with a twist. The team led by Laurent Mekies cannot develop the power unit further with an ADUO token since they are the only manufacturer missing out on it. Yet, continuous optimization of software and energy management race by race has driven strong performances in Baku and Malaysia.
Max Verstappen kept a level head about the massive gamble. He admitted he stayed entirely neutral in his expectations ahead of 2026, refusing to lean into either doom-mongering or blind hype. Trusting the heavy financial investment in facilities and personnel, the Dutchman remained calm while watching former partner Honda struggle elsewhere in the paddock.
For Isack Hadjar, the transformation from those early days to race-winning pace has been staggering. The young driver confessed that his initial outing in Barcelona left him thinking it was going to be a "very long year." Thankfully, the machinery recovered rapidly.
Hadjar watched the entire infrastructure rise from scratch after joining the junior team, observing two massive buildings materialize in just six months around the Jochen Rindt hall. Led by Ben Hodgkinson and featuring recruits from Mercedes, the powertrain unit quickly silenced doubts. While drivers can heavily shape chassis development, Hadjar is simply grateful to rely on such a talented group for power when the engine is out of his direct control.
