Who builds Red Bull F1 engines?
Today, Red Bull’s Formula One engines are built by Honda under the Red Bull Powertrains (RBPT) program, with ongoing engineering support from Honda. In the past, Red Bull relied on Renault power units before switching to Honda for the current era.
Red Bull’s engine story spans several eras in F1. The team has alternated between suppliers as regulations and partnerships evolved, with RBPT representing a move toward more in-house control while leveraging Honda’s technology and expertise. This article outlines who currently builds the engines and how the history has unfolded.
Current arrangement
The current power units used by Red Bull Racing and its sister outfit (AlphaTauri) are produced by Red Bull Powertrains, with technical and engineering support from Honda. Engines carry RBPT branding but rely on Honda’s designs and know-how, continuing through the current regulatory cycle with joint development and supply arrangements.
Historical engine partners
The following timeline summarizes the major engine suppliers Red Bull has relied on over the years. It highlights the shifts between manufacturers and the branding that accompanied those partnerships.
- 2007–2015: Renault power units supplied Red Bull Racing (and its sister team at the time). The pairing delivered multiple championships in the early 2010s.
- 2016–2018: Renault-based power units continued to power Red Bull Racing, with branding and marketing adjustments that reflected the evolving sponsorship landscape.
- 2019–2021: Honda power units were used by Red Bull Racing (and AlphaTauri, the former Toro Rosso), marking a decisive shift away from Renault as the teams chased performance and reliability.
- 2022–present: Power units are produced by Red Bull Powertrains with technical support from Honda. The engines are marketed as RBPT units, reflecting Red Bull’s in-house manufacturing role while relying on Honda’s engineering contribution.
These evolutions show how Red Bull has moved from external engine partners to a hybrid arrangement that blends in-house manufacturing with Honda’s engineering expertise, aligning with F1’s evolving regulations and the teams’ strategic goals.
How the RBPT partnership works
Red Bull Powertrains is responsible for the production and supply chain of the power units, including integration with the chassis, electronics, and on-track performance for Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri. Honda provides the core technology, development support, and regulatory-compliant power unit designs under a collaborative agreement. The arrangement allows Red Bull to exert greater control over development timelines and cost while continuing to benefit from Honda’s renowned power unit knowledge and reliability.
Implications for teams and branding
Although the engines are RBPT-branded for marketing and organizational purposes, the underlying engineering pedigree remains closely tied to Honda. This collaboration has enabled Red Bull to push for performance and efficiency improvements within the FIA’s technical rules while maintaining a stable supply of competitive power units.
Why the engine partnership matters
Engine supply is a cornerstone of F1 competitiveness. Red Bull’s transition from Renault to Honda and then to the RBPT arrangement reflects strategic decisions about control, cost, and technical capability. The current setup aims to balance Red Bull’s desire for in-house development with Honda’s long-standing expertise in high-performance power units.
Summary: Red Bull’s F1 engines are currently built under the RBPT program with Honda’s technical support, representing a shift from Renault-powered seasons in the 2007–2015 era to a collaborative, in-house manufacturing approach. The partnership continues to evolve within the sport’s regulatory framework and competitive landscape.
Who makes engines for Red Bull F1?
Red Bull currently uses engines developed by Honda but badged under the Red Bull Powertrains (Honda RBPT) name. For the 2026 season and beyond, Red Bull Powertrains will develop engines in partnership with Ford.
You can watch this video to learn more about Red Bull's new F1 engine plan: 58sTHE RACEYouTube · Feb 16, 2021
- Current (2022-2025): The engines are developed by Honda, with Red Bull Powertrains manufacturing and operating them. They are badged as "Honda RBPT".
- Future (2026 onwards): Red Bull Powertrains is developing new engines in partnership with Ford for the 2026 season.
This video explains the Red Bull x Ford F1 partnership: 54sOvertake FansYouTube · Nov 24, 2025
Will Red Bull F1 use Ford engines?
Red Bull Ford will provide the power units for both the Oracle Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri teams from 2026 to at least 2030. An error occurred. Try watching this video on www.youtube.com, or enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser.
Which F1 cars use Mercedes engines?
Mercedes supplies engines to its own team, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, as well as to Aston Martin, McLaren, and Williams. From the 2026 season, Alpine will also join the list of Mercedes customers.
- Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team: The factory team, driven by Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, uses Mercedes power units.
- Aston Martin: Currently uses Mercedes engines but will switch to Honda engines from 2026.
- McLaren: Uses Mercedes engines through the 2030 season.
- Williams: Has been a Mercedes customer since 2014 and will continue to be a customer under the new engine regulations starting in 2026.
- Alpine: Will switch to Mercedes engines from the 2026 season.
Are Red Bull F1 using Aston Martin engines?
Aston Martin - Honda
Red Bull has continued to use its engines under its Red Bull Powertrains banner since, with Honda effectively a supplying contractor, while Honda's name returned to the 'make of the engine' name for Red Bull and AlphaTauri for 2023.
