George Russell Issues Red Bull Engine Warning: 'They've Delivered'
George Russell, the Mercedes Formula 1 driver, has praised Red Bull's new power unit, calling it 'very impressive' after the Barcelona pre-season test. The 2026 Red Bull team and its sister Racing Bulls outfit are utilizing in-house-built Red Bull Powertrain units, with Ford's input.
The new engine had a strong debut during the Barcelona winter test, showcasing excellent performance and reliability. This caught the attention of Russell, who noted, 'We've only driven the car for three days, but it doesn't look like a turd, which is a positive sign. We can highlight any negatives early on.'
Russell continued, 'It's too early to say if this car will win a world championship, but we've been surprised by our rivals, especially Red Bull's power unit. It's very reliable, and we're impressed by their performance.'
He added, 'There was talk about Red Bull's power unit not meeting standards in its first year. However, based on our observations, they've delivered. The Ferrari power unit also looks reliable, as evidenced by the numerous laps completed during the test.'
Despite the positive feedback, Russell remained cautious, citing Mercedes' 2022 struggles during the last major rules reset. He emphasized the importance of managing expectations, stating, 'We wanted to reel in expectations because we can't discount potential surprises. Porpoising in 2022 was unexpected, and we still don't know what to expect.'
Russell concluded, 'We left Barcelona with positive feelings because the car performed as anticipated. The aero numbers and handling match our simulator data, a significant improvement since 2021. However, we can't underestimate our rivals.'
Lewis, a journalist with the Crash.net team since August 2024, previously covered MotoGP for the Motorsport Network for five years.
