Red Bull Power Unit Hardware & Software

All that has to do with the power train, gearbox, clutch, fuels and lubricants, etc. Generally the mechanical side of Formula One.
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TNTHead
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Location: The Netherlands

Re: Red Bull Power Unit Hardware & Software

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Hoffman900 wrote:
01 Feb 2026, 21:59
FW17 wrote:
01 Feb 2026, 18:43
gearboxtrouble wrote:
01 Feb 2026, 17:19

Oh I'm sure the K is efficient but the software that optimizes its usage needs data to work and Red Bull just won't have what Mercedes, Ferrari and maybe even Honda have already built up over the years in this regard. My prediction is the RBPT engine will be able to match the best from Mercedes and Ferrari over 1 qualifying lap because peak potential will be in the same ballpark but this pace will fade in the race because they will find it difficult to match how Mercedes and Ferrari are able to optimize their energy management over the race until they build up enough data to improve their own algos.
AI will generate the most optimum generate and deploy map.
I work in engineering and while AI might be able to crunch a lot of situations relatively quickly, it will not generate the most optimum anything without human intervention.

It certaintly doesn’t work like that.
Indeed but after a few races with the data per cornertypes and connecting straights you can train a model or optimisation algorithm that can optimise upcoming tracks. May be not as refined as the real world data, but you probably can come close.

dialtone
dialtone
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Joined: 25 Feb 2019, 01:31

Re: Red Bull Power Unit Hardware & Software

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TNTHead wrote:
Hoffman900 wrote:
01 Feb 2026, 21:59
FW17 wrote:
01 Feb 2026, 18:43
AI will generate the most optimum generate and deploy map.
I work in engineering and while AI might be able to crunch a lot of situations relatively quickly, it will not generate the most optimum anything without human intervention.

It certaintly doesn’t work like that.
Indeed but after a few races with the data per cornertypes and connecting straights you can train a model or optimisation algorithm that can optimise upcoming tracks. May be not as refined as the real world data, but you probably can come close.
Not really. Data makes it easier but we are talking about being 1% off puts you well behind.

These are structured problems, the best solution is given by optimizing a formula that gives correlation between the variables in play and looking to maximize the integral of the variable you care about.

Data can help create the formula that correlates your variables, but you still need to do the work and further iterate. ML is a tool like others that needs multiple iterations to work, implemented by people that don’t know what they are doing is a disaster.

pantherxxx
pantherxxx
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Location: Hungary

Re: Red Bull Power Unit Hardware & Software

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https://www.topgear.com/car-news/formul ... -f1-engine

Some interesting insights. Red Bull said they have 600 engineers strong development team working on the engine.

And Ford is designing and manufacturing 12 unique parts, and provides engine modelling simulation software.

CHT
CHT
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008, 05:24

Re: Red Bull Power Unit Hardware & Software

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pantherxxx wrote:
02 Feb 2026, 16:46
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/formul ... -f1-engine

Some interesting insights. Red Bull said they have 600 engineers strong development team working on the engine.

And Ford is designing and manufacturing 12 unique parts, and provides engine modelling simulation software.
I think 600 is referring to the entire RBR team including the RBPT.

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De Wet
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Joined: 03 Jan 2024, 13:32

Re: Red Bull Power Unit Hardware & Software

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CHT wrote:
09 Feb 2026, 13:02
pantherxxx wrote:
02 Feb 2026, 16:46
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/formul ... -f1-engine

Some interesting insights. Red Bull said they have 600 engineers strong development team working on the engine.

And Ford is designing and manufacturing 12 unique parts, and provides engine modelling simulation software.
I think 600 is referring to the entire RBR team including the RBPT.

They have 1000+ working in RBR. The top 4 teams all have +- 1000 in staff.

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lio007
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Joined: 28 Jan 2013, 23:03
Location: Austria

Re: Red Bull Power Unit Hardware & Software

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De Wet wrote:
09 Feb 2026, 13:11
CHT wrote:
09 Feb 2026, 13:02
pantherxxx wrote:
02 Feb 2026, 16:46
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/formul ... -f1-engine

Some interesting insights. Red Bull said they have 600 engineers strong development team working on the engine.

And Ford is designing and manufacturing 12 unique parts, and provides engine modelling simulation software.
I think 600 is referring to the entire RBR team including the RBPT.

They have 1000+ working in RBR. The top 4 teams all have +- 1000 in staff.
According to Mekies, about 2000 on campus in Milton Keynes.

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De Wet
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Joined: 03 Jan 2024, 13:32

Re: Red Bull Power Unit Hardware & Software

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lio007 wrote:
09 Feb 2026, 13:55
De Wet wrote:
09 Feb 2026, 13:11
CHT wrote:
09 Feb 2026, 13:02


I think 600 is referring to the entire RBR team including the RBPT.

They have 1000+ working in RBR. The top 4 teams all have +- 1000 in staff.
According to Mekies, about 2000 on campus in Milton Keynes.
:o

CHT
CHT
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008, 05:24

Re: Red Bull Power Unit Hardware & Software

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De Wet wrote:
09 Feb 2026, 13:11
CHT wrote:
09 Feb 2026, 13:02
pantherxxx wrote:
02 Feb 2026, 16:46
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/formul ... -f1-engine

Some interesting insights. Red Bull said they have 600 engineers strong development team working on the engine.

And Ford is designing and manufacturing 12 unique parts, and provides engine modelling simulation software.
I think 600 is referring to the entire RBR team including the RBPT.

They have 1000+ working in RBR. The top 4 teams all have +- 1000 in staff.
You are right. according to tax filing (page 25), RBR Powertrain 2026 Limited has got 565 staffs in 2024
Compromising of 166 in production 55 in admin/support, and 377 in R&D

https://find-and-update.company-informa ... download=0

Rodak
Rodak
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Joined: 04 Oct 2017, 03:02

Re: Red Bull Power Unit Hardware & Software

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They have 1000+ working in RBR. The top 4 teams all have +- 1000 in staff.
A bit off topic, but alt 241 will generate ± . Just a technical hint. Alt 248 for degree symbol °.

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De Wet
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Joined: 03 Jan 2024, 13:32

Re: Red Bull Power Unit Hardware & Software

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Rodak wrote:
10 Feb 2026, 01:48
They have 1000+ working in RBR. The top 4 teams all have +- 1000 in staff.
A bit off topic, but alt 241 will generate ± . Just a technical hint. Alt 248 for degree symbol °.
Thx

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FW17
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Joined: 06 Jan 2010, 10:56

Re: Red Bull Power Unit Hardware & Software

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Image

The intake manifold looks like it is on top of the intercooler. Those will be really long trumpets into the engine.

Intercooler looks to be on either side of the intake manifold

Image

CHT
CHT
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Re: Red Bull Power Unit Hardware & Software

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Here is a breakdown of the manpower transition between RBPT (Honda assist partnership) and RBPT 2026 (RB).

Looking at the production team headcount, I reckon RBPT has already started producing engine back in 2022 and RBPT26 has started taking over most of the R&D function from Honda since 2023.

Adrian Newey decided to leave RBR back in early 2024, which mean he will have very little knowledge of RBPT powertrain develop for 2026 engine. And this may be the reason why Honda PU may struggle this year.


RED BULL POWERTRAINS LIMITED
__________2021_2022_2023_2024
R&D______123__221___60___25
Production_9____121__52___18
Admin______65___97___23____1

RED BULL POWERTRAINS 2026 LIMITED
________________2022_2023_2024
R&D____________112__228__337
Production_______39__119__133
Admin___________15___18___55

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AR3-GP
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Joined: 06 Jul 2021, 01:22

Re: Red Bull Power Unit Hardware & Software

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CHT wrote:
12 Feb 2026, 03:44
Looking at the production team headcount, I reckon RBPT has already started producing engine back in 2022
Yes it's been revealed in one of the promotions that D. Mateschitz witnessed the first running engine in August of 2022.
Beware of T-Rex

gearboxtrouble
gearboxtrouble
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Re: Red Bull Power Unit Hardware & Software

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AR3-GP wrote:
12 Feb 2026, 03:46
CHT wrote:
12 Feb 2026, 03:44
Looking at the production team headcount, I reckon RBPT has already started producing engine back in 2022
Yes it's been revealed in one of the promotions that D. Mateschitz witnessed the first running engine in August of 2022.
That seems insanely early. Was it a single cylinder concept or the full V6? If it was the full V6 then that explains why they're so far ahead of where I thought they'd be by now.

CHT
CHT
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008, 05:24

Re: Red Bull Power Unit Hardware & Software

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AR3-GP wrote:
12 Feb 2026, 03:46
CHT wrote:
12 Feb 2026, 03:44
Looking at the production team headcount, I reckon RBPT has already started producing engine back in 2022
Yes it's been revealed in one of the promotions that D. Mateschitz witnessed the first running engine in August of 2022.
This is perhaps the timeline of RBPT establishment

2021 - RBPT established without production of Honda engine
2022 - RBPT started producing Honda engine with help from Honda / RBPT26 started recruitment for R&D & production personnel
2023 - RBPT started transferring engine production and R&D function to RBPT26
2024 - RBPT26 take over almost all engine production and R&D function without Honda