Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff met FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem this week in Paris, according to The Race. The meeting focused on Red Bull’s recent assessment by the FIA, which deemed its engine the best in Formula 1, raising concerns within the team.
What happened
A meeting between Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem in Paris has brought attention to Red Bull’s status in Formula 1. The FIA recently assessed Red Bull’s power unit as the benchmark for the sport, making the team ineligible for upgrades. This decision surprised senior Red Bull figures and confused driver Max Verstappen. “What we see is certainly Mercedes, a long way ahead of most of us,” said team principal Laurent Mekies in April.
Red Bull believes its internal combustion engine lags 0.2-0.3 seconds behind Mercedes. This conflicting view has prompted the team to seek clarification from the FIA regarding its ranking. Behind the scenes, Red Bull has pushed for a detailed explanation, leading the FIA to agree to review data from the first five races of the season. Sources suggest that discrepancies in torque sensor data could factor into the rankings, affecting the team’s potential for power unit improvements.
Why it matters
The outcome of the FIA’s review could significantly impact Red Bull’s competitive edge. Being recognized as F1’s top engine may not only prevent the team from making necessary upgrades but also allow rivals to enhance their overall performance without modifying their engines. If Red Bull remains the benchmark, it risks falling further behind if competitors capitalize on development opportunities.
Background
On May 20, 2026, prior to the meeting, the FIA’s decision that Red Bull had the superior engine caught the team off guard, especially after Mekies publicly asserted that Mercedes was currently ahead. The initial assessment came just before the Monaco Grand Prix, which further escalated tensions for Red Bull as it sought to understand the FIA’s evaluation.
What’s next
The FIA is expected to complete its review of the data within a week, a timeline that Red Bull will closely monitor in hopes of a favorable adjustment to its current engine ranking.
