# Christian Horner bans Mercedes name after Red Bull engine shift

> Christian Horner stops Red Bull from mentioning Mercedes as team builds own F1 engine.
- Title: Christian Horner bans Mercedes name after Red Bull engine…
- Summary: Christian Horner stops Red Bull from mentioning Mercedes as team builds own F1 engine. Christian Horner banned employees from using Mercedes name after Red…
- Keywords: christian horner, red bull, mercedes, powertrains, honda, ferrari, renault, team b, rbpt, toto wolff, ben hodgkinson, Christian
- Source: Motorsport — https://motorsport.com/f1/news/why-horner-banned-mercedes-name-as-red-bull-built-its-own-f1-engine/10864996
- Author: Ewan Gale
- Published: 2026-10-14T18:00:02+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: christian horner, red bull, f1, mercedes, powertrains, honda, ferrari, renault, team b, rbpt, toto wolff, ben hodgkinson
## Red Bull builds own F1 engine
Christian Horner created Red Bull's in-house powertrains division to compete with Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault.
## Red Bull partners with Honda for 2022-2025
Red Bull partnered with Honda for engine development through 2025 after Honda left F1 as OEM.
## Red Bull recruits Mercedes talent
Horner poached key Mercedes engineers including Toto Wolff and Ben Hodgkinson for Red Bull Powertrains.
## Red Bull builds UK engine factory
Red Bull built a new UK engine factory in 55 weeks using a bubblewrap factory building.
## Mercedes name banned internally
Red Bull banned mentions of Mercedes as 'Team B' to avoid internal rivalry talk.
## Red Bull's engine competition
Red Bull's engine development aimed to compete with Mercedes after Honda left F1.
## Red Bull's talent shift
Red Bull recruited Mercedes engineers to build new engine for 2026 F1 regulations.
## Red Bull's engine strategy
Red Bull's engine strategy focused on UK-based development to compete with top F1 teams.
## Key takeaway

Christian Horner banned employees from using Mercedes name after Red Bull created in-house powertrains division to compete with top F1 teams.