Red Bull chief who once worked for Mercedes shares what’s ‘more modern’ about RBPT

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The next set of Formula 1 regulations aren’t introduced for another 18 months but already the top teams are fighting for bragging rights.

Red Bull are aiming to win their third straight Constructors’ Championship and have a 42-point lead over rivals McLaren with 10 race weekends remaining.

However, that gap has been narrowing for months with Red Bull’s advantage over the rest of the grid all but diminished and Sergio Perez having a very tough time.

The 2025 season looks set to be even closer before all 10 manufacturers turn their attention to the next era of F1.

It’s expected that from 2026 onwards, with a new set of rules needed for the hybrid power units, the team with the best engine will initially dominate the sport.

Renault look set to end their engine program, leaving only a handful of manufacturers to compete against one another in that capacity.

Mercedes will power Williams and McLaren – and potentially Alpine – while Ferrari and Audi will be using their own power units.

READ MORE: Everything we know so far about Formula 1’s 2026 regulations

Aston Martin have the exclusive use of Honda power units, meaning Red Bull and RB will switch to partnering with Ford for the first time.

Speaking in an interview with Formel1, head of Red Bull Powertrains Operations Steve Brodie was talking about the project.

Brodie was previously employed by Mercedes and worked on their engines before taking over the Milton Keynes operation.

Brodie has now shared what’s more modern about the RBPT operation compared to the highly-rated Mercedes project.

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

Red Bull Powertrains ‘more modern’ than Mercedes in race to build best 2026 F1 power unit

Talking about the work Red Bull are doing, Brodie said: “I’m obviously a little biased, but the interior we have here looks even more modern than what Mercedes has.

“But it should, as I had a lot of freedom to design this set-up myself.”

Adding to Brodie’s message, team principal Christian Horner added: “We are now taking our destiny completely into our own hands.

“Apart from Ferrari, we are the only team in Formula 1 to have the engine and chassis departments on the same site from 2026. Even Mercedes has two different sites.

“It may seem like an impossible task, but we believe it has long-term benefits.”

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Mercedes AMG F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Red Bull and Mercedes could go head-to-head in 2026

Plenty of teams in the paddock are putting their faith in Mercedes leading the field when it comes to power unit development.

Alex Albon believes Williams will gain an advantage from Mercedes engines over their midfield rivals.

Alpine tried to convince Carlos Sainz to sign by telling him that they were pursuing Mercedes power units for 2025.

However, Martin Brundle has heard very good things about Red Bull Powertrains which is a positive sign.

Horner has privately mocked Mercedes while talking about their engineering department which suggests that he’s confident about matching Mercedes in 2026 and beyond.