Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff says time has shown that Red Bull should not be taken lightly in the world of Formula 1.<\/p>\n
From being brushed off as an energy drinks brand, Red Bull<\/a> has gone on to win 14 world championships. However, as it readies to take on arguably its biggest F1 challenge yet by racing with its own engine, Wolff stressed it is a \u201chuge challenge\u201d.<\/p>\n Red Bull F1 engine: Toto Wolff warns it is a \u2018huge challenge\u2019<\/p>\n Since 2019, Red Bull has been powered by Honda engines, a union which produced six championships overall. Max Verstappen reeled off four straight Drivers\u2019 titles between 2021-24, while Red Bull lifted the 2022 and 2023 Constructors\u2019 crowns.<\/p>\n However, with Honda set to switch to Aston Martin next season, Red Bull stepped up its F1 commitment to a whole new level.<\/p>\n F1 2026 will see major change ushered into the sport. Not only are the chassis regulations to be revamped, but the engine rules will receive the same treatment. With a marked increase in electrical power, energy management\/deployment is set to become a far more critical factor from F1 2026.<\/p>\n But, Red Bull has not sought out a new supplier. Instead, it is building its own engine, in partnership with Ford.<\/p>\n As well as Honda, Red Bull will take on further households names in the automotive industry. Mercedes, Ferrari and Audi will also be unleashing engines for this new F1 era. In time General Motors will add its name to that list.<\/p>\n The last time Formula 1 revamped its engine regulations, Mercedes emerged as the class of the field. Between 2014-21, the team went on a run of eight straight Constructors\u2019 title wins, an achievement never before seen in Formula 1.<\/p>\n The man at the helm of that success, Toto Wolff, suggests Red Bull has its work cut out as it embarks on its expanded effort.<\/p>\n \u201cThis project is like climbing Mount Everest,\u201d said Wolff about Red Bull Powertrains, when speaking with De Telegraaf.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are taking on manufacturers with decades of experience.<\/p>\n \u201cBut everyone joked when Red Bull entered the sport too. It was like an energy drink manufacturer taking on Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren. Well, they\u2019ve won quite a lot.<\/p>\n \u201cBut given the complexity of the engines, I do think it will be a huge challenge for them.\u201d<\/p>\n How F1 2026 is shaping up<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 F1 2026: Confirmed teams and power unit suppliers for F1\u2019s huge regulation changes<\/a><\/p>\n