McLaren shocked the Formula 1 world! The British team is considering an alliance with Red Bull

Formula 1 will enter a new era of powertrains in 2026, when the technical rules will once again change dramatically. Teams are therefore looking at different options when it comes to engine collaboration. Most recently, McLaren shocked the formula world by considering a partnership with Red Bull!

The McLaren team currently takes power units from Mercedes, but that could change by 2026.

Indeed, the well-known Racing News 365 website has reported that the British Woking stable, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, is considering forming an alliance with Red Bull, sourcing their power units.

And now, as reported by The Independent, McLaren CEO Zak Brown reportedly visited the Red Bull Powertrains facility in Milton Keynes in early February, where initial supply talks took place.

Yes, Red Bull’s powertrains are currently supplied by Honda, but after the Japanese manufacturer decided to formally withdraw from F1, Red Bull decided to create RBPT (Red Bull Powertrains – ed.).

This production division of the Austrian team would be supported by, among others, Ford, which has announced its return to F1 as a technical partner of this project.

It should be added, Honda does not currently supply its power units to any of the teams. It is believed, however, that Brown has been in talks specifically to reuse them. And if that were to happen, it would be nine years after they parted ways.

At the moment, as we write above, McLaren has a contract with Mercedes to buy engines. But that expires just before 2025.

“We are happy with Mercedes, so we have some time to decide which direction we want to go. There is something we are looking into. But we’re in no hurry, ” Brown explained at the unveiling of this year’s MCL60.

Sources