Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies has dismissed speculation that his team has the best-performing power unit in Formula 1 and therefore expects to be given the chance to improve it during an upcoming engine upgrade window.
Included in the new power unit rules for the 2026 season was a performance-balancing measure – Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) – that will allow those behind the leading manufacturer by two percent or more to develop their models.
The first window for upgrades was originally planned for after this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, but could be pushed back as two of the first six rounds – races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia – had been canceled due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Despite Mercedes dominating the opening three rounds of the season to top the standings, 119 points clear of sixth-placed Red Bull, there had been media speculation that the latter actually possessed the most powerful internal combustion engine (ICE), the power unit element that is measured to determine who benefits from ADUO.
Mekies told Sky Sports news: “Is it [Red Bull’s engine] on par with the very best? Absolutely not.
“So do we expect to be in that group of people who might have the opportunity to catch up? Yes, we certainly hope to be in that category.”
Mekies agreed with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s recent statement that ADUO should allow manufacturers to “catch up” rather than “leap” rivals, but appears convinced that it is the Silver Arrows that have the best ICE.
“I think Toto is right,” Mekies added. “The tool is here to catch up, not to jump somebody. So I’m totally with him on that.”
The rules specify three periods of ADUO during the season, with those judged to be at least two percent behind the manufacturer with the best-performing internal combustion engine awarded development opportunities.
Wolff suggested that Honda, which supplies Aston Martin’s engine, is the only manufacturer that needs help from the regulations. The Austrian claimed that Red Bull, Ferrari and Audi are in a similar “ballpark” to Mercedes.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
George Russell weighs in on Max Verstappen’s F1 future and admits he would ‘understand’ if the four-time world champion retires
In a separate interview with the print media, Mekies estimated Mercedes’ advantage over Red Bull to be “three tenths” of a second per lap. round, a large amount of which he believes comes from their ICE.
He said: “What we’re seeing is definitely Mercedes, way ahead of most of us. And yes, you’re right, a guy [Honda] especially behind.
“The other guys are probably pretty close to us, Ferrari and Audi, and fair enough, Honda is probably fighting a bit more.
“Extracting the right internal combustion engine performance in a fair way across the teams is very difficult. I think overall results probably give you the best, fairest picture of where everyone is at.”
Mekies eyes ‘Max effect’ after car improvements
Red Bull’s poor start to the season has contributed to doubts over whether four-time world champion Max Verstappen will remain with the team beyond the end of the year.
The Dutchman, who says he is unhappy with the 2026 rules, said in Japan that he is considering stepping away from the sport at the end of the year.
However, Mekies is optimistic that upcoming Red Bull upgrades will provide a platform for Verstappen to push the car’s development forward and also lift the Dutchman’s spirits.
“The Max we see is a fully committed Max. He wants a fast car and he helps the team get a fast car. He brings all his energy to it,” Mekies said.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
A look at Verstappen’s disappointing start to the 2026 Formula 1 season
“He’s passionate about the sport. Like you said, he raised his voice when he felt things needed to be done. We have a step forward for the rules that are coming for Miami. He embraces it. Will it be enough? We have time together to see if it will be enough or not.
“We are aware that the priority is that we give him a car he can push with. And this has little to do with the rules. We knew we gave him and Isack (Hadjar) a very difficult car in the first three races. And we have to give him a car he can consistently push with.”
“So afterwards it doesn’t mean it will be quick enough for positions, but it means he can start to bring his ‘Max effect’ and we can start building development on that car.
“And I have every confidence that maybe things won’t be fixed for Miami, but the team is going to get to the bottom of what’s limiting us the same way they did last year, and you’re going to see more and more smiles on Max’s face.”
Formula 1 returns on the 1st-3rd. May with the Miami Grand Prix, the second sprint weekend of the season, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime