First Red Bull Powertrains engine to run before end of 2022, says Horner

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner is confident that the ambitious Red Bull Powertrains project is on target, with the team boss expecting the first Red Bull engine to be running on the dyno by the end of 2022.

Red Bull decided to form their own company – called Red Bull Powertrains – after their engine supplier Honda opted to leave the sport at the end of 2021. However, Red Bull will continue to use Honda technology on the car until 2025 before unleashing their own Red Bull Powertrains unit in 2026. And Horner says the company have brought in “phenomenal talent” for this “super-exciting project”.

“As far as our own preparation, we are on target,” said Horner. “We will move into our new facility in May and the first Red Bull engine will run on the dyno by the end of the year. They are making great progress, it’s exciting times, it's a super-exciting project.

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“We've attracted some phenomenal talent from all corners of industry. Yes, it's a new chapter but 2026, while it seems a long way away, is actually a lot closer than you think.”

While Red Bull have one eye on the future, they will also be focusing on the present, with this weekend’s race in Imola. And after suffering from two DNF finishes in the first three races of the season, reigning world champion Max Verstappen is hoping for a more “straightforward” Emilia Romagna Grand Prix weekend, while also looking forward to the first Sprint weekend of 2022.

"I’m looking forward to racing again this weekend in Imola,” said Verstappen. “This is obviously the first sprint race of the year so it’s important to make the most of the first practice session so we have a good understanding of where the set up needs to be for qualifying on Friday.

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“The team trackside and back at the factory in Milton Keynes are working incredibly hard. Hopefully we’ll have a straightforward weekend and we score some good points as a team. For now, we’ll take it race by race and we’ll see where we end up.”

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