Marko: RB22 chassis was Red Bull’s main weakness in 2026

Helmut Marko says the RB22’s chassis, rather than Red Bull’s new power unit, was the team’s main weakness in 2026. The former Red Bull adviser told Sky Deutschland that the chassis returned to race-winning level only toward the end of the season, after an upgrade in Baku.

Red Bull is running its own power unit for the first time. The team has already taken two wins in a row—its first Grand Prix victories as a power-unit manufacturer.

FIA ADUO measurements put the Red Bull Powertrains-Ford combustion engine at the top of the field, but Marko said the comparison covered only that engine. A complete power unit also includes the electric motor, battery, software and other parts, he said.

Marko still believes Mercedes has a slightly better overall package, while Red Bull’s unit is competitive enough to win races. He also sees the team’s ability to move from the fourth-fastest car to a race-winning one within a single season as a Red Bull strength.