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Ford Deepens Partnership with Red Bull Ahead of 2026 Formula 1 Season
Ford has announced a significant shift in its involvement with Red Bull Racing, expanding its role in the team’s 2026 Formula 1 project. Initially, the American car giant planned to focus solely on the electrical components of Red Bull’s power unit, but it will now take on a much larger share of the development and production process.
The manufacturer, which last competed in F1 over two decades ago, initially rejoined the sport to explore advancements in hybrid technology and electrification. According to Ford Motorsport director Mark Rushbrook, the original plan was to concentrate on areas like battery cell chemistry, motors, inverters, calibration, and energy management. However, as the collaboration with Red Bull Powertrains progressed, Ford expanded its scope to include the internal combustion engine and other critical systems.
“Initially, we weren’t interested in working on the combustion engine,” Rushbrook explained, “but now we are, because there’s still so much for us to learn in that area. We’re now helping with parts production and even operational aspects of the car. In reality, we’re now involved in almost the entire power unit.”
This expanded commitment also includes utilizing Ford’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, such as real-time 3D printing, to produce and deliver parts quickly from its U.S. facilities to Red Bull’s headquarters in Milton Keynes. The joint project will operate under the banner Red Bull Ford Powertrains, supplying engines for both Red Bull Racing and its sister team, Racing Bulls, from 2026 through at least 2030.
Ford’s return to F1 aligns with the sport’s upcoming regulation changes, which emphasize hybrid performance and the use of sustainable fuels. These changes are part of Formula 1’s broader commitment to achieving carbon neutrality, an initiative that matches Ford’s own sustainability and innovation goals.
Rushbrook described the timing of the partnership as “lucky,” noting that Red Bull had just begun developing its own powertrain when Ford expressed interest in returning to the sport. “They quickly realized that even for a leading team, resources are limited when developing a completely new engine. It was the perfect moment for us to step in,” he said.
However, this exciting technical progress comes during a turbulent period for Red Bull. The team has experienced major upheavals in recent months, including the shocking dismissal of long-time team principal Christian Horner and the departures of key technical figures like Adrian Newey. These changes have raised questions about the team’s stability as it prepares for one of its most ambitious engineering challenges yet.
On the driver front, Red Bull has some certainty. Max Verstappen, the team’s four-time world champion, has confirmed his commitment to staying with the team beyond 2026, putting to rest rumors of a potential move elsewhere. Still, the identity of his teammate remains uncertain, with Yuki Tsunoda struggling to match the pace required to secure his seat.
Despite these challenges, Ford and Red Bull remain optimistic about their future together. The combination of Ford’s technological expertise and Red Bull’s championship pedigree aims to produce a competitive power unit capable of keeping the team at the front of the grid in F1’s new hybrid era.
With sweeping regulation changes on the horizon, the partnership represents not only a fresh chapter for Red Bull but also a bold return for Ford to the highest level of motorsport—one that could shape the future of Formula 1 for years to come.
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