McLaren and Red Bull in engine supply talks from 2026 season

McLaren’s woes this year might soon come to an end after talks were revealed with a shock partner that could change everything.

Red Bull Racing's British team principal Christian Horner speaks with mechanics before the start of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on March 5, 2023. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP)

Oscar Piastri and McLaren’s woes may be set to finally come to an end, after new developments in the engine supply market were revealed this week.

After going head-to-head with each other for years, it can be revealed that McLaren are in talks with Red Bull Racing to supply the team with engines beyond 2026, which marks the next generation in Formula One regulations.

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The talks were confirmed by both team principals in Bahrain, with Red Bull boss Christian Horner joking that he thought McLaren CEO Zak Brown was “coming for lunch!”

Horner said it was “only natural” that Red Bull would be approached for engines by other competitors.

“As a power unit manufacturer for 2026, it’s obvious that discussions are going to be held regarding potential powertrain supplies and that’s only natural that we would speak with potential customers,” he said.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner said it was “only natural” that Red Bull would court potential customers. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said it was “obvious looking that far forward you want to understand what’s available.

“I think that’s natural,” he said.

“It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise.”

While it may be slightly puzzling to see two competitors team up, the nature of Formula One engine supply dynamics mean that it is common for works manufacturers to supply other teams with engines.

Mercedes currently supply McLaren’s power units alongside Williams and Aston Martin, while Ferrari supply Haas and Alfa Romeo.

McLaren boss Zak Brown surprised Red Bull team principal Christian Horner when he showed up in Milton Keynes, with Horner saying “I thought we were going for lunch!” (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Alpine manufacture their own power units and formerly supplied Red Bull, who are now powered by Honda units alongside sister team AlphaTauri.

With Honda pulling out of the sport in 2025, Red Bull signed a deal with American giant Ford to supply powertrains to the team from 2026, marking Ford’s return to the sport after 22 years.

Ford have a long history in Formula One as the third-most successful engine manufacturer in the history of the sport, winning 174 Grands Prix.

In 1969 and 1973, every single World Championship race was won by the legendary Ford-Cosworth DFV three-litre V8, which powered every single World Drivers’ Champion between 1968 and 1982 with the exceptions of Niki Lauda in 1977 and Jody Scheckter in 1979, both driving for Ferrari.

Ford were also part of one of the most iconic introductions in the history of the sport, powering the Jordan that gave Michael Schumacher his debut in 1991, as well as the Benetton that gave him his first of a record seven World Championships in 1994.

Legendary driver Ayrton Senna won the Australian Grand Prix in a Ford-powered McLaren. (Photo by Torsten BLACKWOOD / AFP)

Aussie Mark Webber drove for Ford’s Jaguar team in their last Formula One venture, and stayed on after the team changed hands to Red Bull until his retirement in 2013. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)

Ford eventually sold their works Jaguar Racing F1 team in 2005 to the energy drink company Red Bull, forming the team now known as Red Bull Racing.

Ford also have a storied history with McLaren, serving as their engine supplier from their debut in 1966 through to 1982 with the exception of 1967, and additionally with a sole year in 1993.

McLaren have been a Mercedes customer team since 2018, after brief stints using Renault and Honda engines after the conclusion of the famous McLaren-Mercedes works partnership that brought three World Championships and the emergence of Lewis Hamilton.

McLaren sit on the bottom of the 2023 Constructors’ Standings after their dismal result in Bahrain, and will look to improve with this weekend’s race in Saudi Arabia.