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Red Bull questions FIA's 'benchmark' engine call for 2026
🇸🇬 Singapore /Sports

Red Bull questions FIA's 'benchmark' engine call for 2026

From CNA · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Red Bull is seeking clarification from the FIA after its 2026 Formula 1 engine was reportedly deemed a performance benchmark.
  • This designation could grant rivals additional development scope, a move Red Bull finds surprising given their current performance.
  • The FIA has yet to officially confirm the benchmark status, with ongoing discussions between Red Bull and the governing body.

Red Bull Racing is questioning Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, over a reported decision to designate their 2026 power unit as the performance benchmark. This classification, if confirmed, would allow rival manufacturers additional allowances within the cost cap for development, a move Red Bull finds perplexing given their current on-track performance.

We were all a little bit surprised with that news. I guess that’s why we’re talking to the FIA now to see what happened there, how they came to that conclusion. There’s not much more to say right now. That’s what they’re looking at.

— Max VerstappenThe Red Bull driver expressed surprise regarding the FIA's reported decision on their 2026 engine.

Sources suggest that Red Bull, who are partnering with Ford for their 2026 engine, were informed of this benchmark status at the Monaco Grand Prix. This news comes as Mercedes has dominated the current season, winning all six races, while Red Bull has secured only two third-place finishes. The FIA has not yet officially confirmed these details, and discussions are reportedly ongoing.

We just feel surprised because we don't feel like we are the best.

— Max VerstappenVerstappen elaborated on Red Bull's reaction to being designated a performance benchmark.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull's four-time world champion, expressed surprise at the news. "We were all a little bit surprised with that news," Verstappen told reporters at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. "I guess that’s why we’re talking to the FIA now to see what happened there, how they came to that conclusion. There’s not much more to say right now. That’s what they’re looking at." He added, "We just feel surprised because we don't feel like we are the best."

I was checking if we won the first six races of the year, you know, and we didn’t, so...

— Isack HadjarThe Red Bull junior driver sarcastically questioned the benchmark designation.

Teammate Isack Hadjar offered a more sardonic take, questioning the premise. "I was checking if we won the first six races of the year, you know, and we didn’t, so..." he commented. He also noted that the designation is provisional and not yet officialized. "So when it's time to take the final decision, let's see what they say," the French driver added.

It's provisional... and nothing has been officialised yet. So when it's time to take the final decision, let's see what they say.

— Isack HadjarHadjar commented on the provisional nature of the FIA's decision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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