Red Bull have now strengthened in one area that could make Max Verstappen a title favourite in 2026

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Max Verstappen would love nothing more than to steal back the number one from Lando Norris at the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

For that to happen, he knows that Red Bull will need to be absolutely perfect, and decisions made nearly 12 months ago have been the right ones.

Every F1 manufacturer started work on their 2026 cars for the upcoming regulations changes in January last year.

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Max Verstappen and his new teammate Isack Hadjar will discover during pre-season testing whether Red Bull have done a good enough job to live up to their expectations.

A host of Red Bull’s most important personnel have left since the 2026 car project started, including Christian Horner, Helmut Marko, Jonathan Wheatley and Will Courtenay.

But, Red Bull understand where part of their success has come from, and a recruitment drive to bring key staff from previous engine suppliers Honda, could be the difference between Verstappen winning and losing the title.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Red Bull hiring Honda engineers could be the key to Max Verstappen winning the 2026 title

One of the biggest changes happening on the grid this season will be Red Bull producing their own power units.

After Horner dismissed working with Porsche, Ford stepped in to partner with Red Bull, mainly focusing on the battery component of the power unit.

Red Bull Powertrains have left Martin Brundle impressed in the past, but it will only be when Verstappen’s new car takes to the track in Barcelona, Bahrain and then Melbourne that anyone will know how their hybrid engine stacks up against the competition.

A report from Motorsport has shared more details about the work going on behind the scenes at Red Bull to compete with their rivals.

The reports state that Red Bull have ‘recruited’ from Honda and Mercedes to try and bring together as much knowledge as possible from their rivals.

This might have already had an impact, with Mercedes and Red Bull accused of finding an engine loophole that could give them an advantage over the competition.

Verstappen has previously been extremely complimentary about Honda, as they have powered all four of his world championships, and he paid tribute to them after his win at the Japanese Grand Prix last year.

Red Bull might have pulled off a masterstroke, continuing that success by hiring from the Japanese engine manufacturers before they started working exclusively with Aston Martin.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Ford chief shares how Max Verstappen has helped with Red Bull’s 2026 power unit

There are already suggestions that Honda are struggling with this year’s engine, which could put Aston Martin on the back foot.

If that ends up being the case, then Red Bull have already made a brilliant call by not negotiating a late extension of their partnership.

Ford global director Mark Rushbrook told Motorsport: “It was about developing a culture, whereas the existing engine manufacturers already got their culture.

“In this case, it was at least within the Milton Keynes campus, with a culture there. So there are people coming in and adapting to that.

“But growing from zero Powertrains employees to over 500 now, you’ve got to get all of them to accept that culture and to embrace it.”

Asked about Verstappen’s input on the project thus far, Rushbrook continued: “He has been through the facility several times.

“It’s great, I think, for the team to see his interest and to have him there. Showing that he cares matters, for sure.

“It’s great that he’s got that interest, and at the same time, he can get confidence in what the team is delivering for 2026.”