Ferrari has yet to commit to staying in F1 once the 2026 F1 technical regulations come into force, with Red Bull Powertrains maintaining a technical partnership with Honda F1 and hybrid technology introduced eight years ago. Already from 2026, in relation to the budget, development time and capacity introduced to allow the completely new F1 power unit manufacturers to quickly catch up with those already in the sport. It may even apply its own right of veto if it continues to be entitled to the benefits that Audi has announced. Ferrari admits it should give completely new manufacturers like Audi and possibly Porsche advantages such as more budget and time on the dyno compared to Mercedes and Renault/Alpine. As for Red Bull Powertrains, we believe that they will bend the regulations and enter the sport as a new manufacturer from 2026, continuing their technical partnership with Honda and gaining a significant advantage over the existing three manufacturers.
Red Bull and Audi are believed to have made early commitments to enter F1 from the beginning of 2026, but the deadline for that entry was repeatedly extended as Ferrari failed to sign the new regulations.
Ferrari is considered vital to F1’s continued prosperity, which is why the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) has already extended the deadline, originally set for October 15, twice, but it seems that Ferrari will continue to thrive. If you continue to refuse to participate, it may be extended until 2023.
Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff has downplayed the fact that the entry deadline for 2026 has been pushed back.
“It’s not like there’s an official deadline. I don’t think the regulations say it has to be October 15th. It’s up to the FIA to decide when that will be and we will “And now the FIA is going to talk to everyone else. As far as I understand these discussions are going on, so we’re on track for 2026,” said Toto. Wolff said at the weekend of the final Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi declined to say whether Renault/Alpine have already agreed to the 2026 regulations.
“There are some points that we would like to discuss on the legal side in order to cover them as completely as possible. We are continuing to discuss those points as much as we can. And at some point we are all in a good position. We will sign it when it reaches the level of discussion that I think is imminent.”
Red Bull F1 team principal Christian Horner argues that from Red Bull’s perspective, Red Bull Powertrains should be seen as a newcomer.
“Deadlines have been extended, but there has been a great deal of discussion about governance, technical regulatory cleanup and, obviously, financial regulation. It’s an exciting moment for the group and for the company, a new challenge and we have a lot of work to do between now and 2026.”
Under such circumstances, it became clear that Honda Racing (HRC) has registered as a manufacturer in the 2026 F1 regulations.
Furthermore, in 2023, Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri’s engine name will be changed to Honda RBPT, and Honda is clearly present in F1.
Red Bull simply claims Honda as a technical partner.
But Ferrari is adamant that Red Bull Powertrains should not get all the benefits Audi can get as a true newcomer.
In effect, Honda is just an extension of its current entry and therefore believes Red Bull Powertrains will have to adhere to the same rules that Ferrari, Mercedes and Alpine must adhere to.
Ferrari still has veto power over regulation changes, so the FIA is asking what Honda’s involvement in F1 will be from now on, and in developing the new generation F1 power unit for 2026, existing manufacturers starting in 2023. We need to decide as soon as possible whether budget caps and development restrictions apply to Red Bull Racing.
Category: F1 / Ferrari / red bull / honda f1