Mercedes privately think Red Bull’s 2026 F1 car is actually better in one key area

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Mercedes have been the dominant force in 2026, winning every race, but even they think that Red Bull have the advantage with the internal combustion engine.

Many tipped Mercedes to be the favourites to win the 2026 title, while Red Bull were an unknown entity. This season is their first year as an engine manufacturer, and the new regulation changes present a huge challenge.

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Thus far, the RB22 has not got the overall package to compete with the W17. Mercedes have won every Grand Prix in 2026, while Red Bull have finished no higher than fifth.

Max Verstappen was impressed with Red Bull’s progress in Miami, however, after the team brought several innovations and upgrades to the car. They are heading in the right direction, and even Mercedes think they have the advantage in certain areas.

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Even Mercedes think Red Bull could have a better ICE in 2026

Red Bull have not got the car to fight for race wins at the moment, but certain elements of their package are proving to be the talk of the grid.

Rival F1 teams think Red Bull’s power unit is strong and has not been an issue for them since the regulation change. Mercedes have the best overall package, but in terms of the ICE, Red Bull are not far behind, and some even think they are ahead.

Journalist Jon Noble noted on The Race F1 Podcast that even Mercedes recognise that Red Bull could have the upper hand with the ICE, but their form has ‘fluctuated’ as they try to understand how to harvest and deploy the battery.

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Noble said: “The power unit itself, we think, and this is something even Mercedes suggests, that the ICE element’s actually well up there. It’s either second best to Mercedes, and even some people even think it could be the best.

“But success with your powertrain now is about battery deployment and harvesting and all those elements, which seems to have been quite a big factor. And their form seems to fluctuate pending on if [the] track’s energy starved, if their energy-rich.

“So it’d be interesting to see if those tweaks that were made for Miami, which has made harvesting a bit easier, pulled back there, recharged, limit, etc, just shifted things a little bit more towards Red Bull.”

The Milton Keynes outfit will be looking to continue their progress at the Canadian Grand Prix, but with Mercedes bringing new upgrades, they could be even harder to beat.