Red Bull-Ford, a technical partnership aiming to dominate F1
Ford expands its role in the Red Bull 2026 project: from electric systems to the internal combustion engine, and even the production of key components, with the goal of challenging other manufacturers and establishing dominance in Formula 1.
Before Max Verstappen confirmed his decision to remain with Red Bull for the 2026 season, many insiders—including those noting the tense relationship with team principal Christian Horner—had identified the new power unit developed by Red Bull in Milton Keynes in collaboration with Ford as one of the main factors that could have pushed the four-time world champion to consider leaving the Austrian team.
The upcoming regulations will require a new power unit with a 50/50 power split between the internal combustion engine and the hybrid electric system. This makes it absolutely critical to produce a powerful engine for any team aspiring to win championships. Rumors currently suggest that Mercedes has performed exceptionally well in this regard, while speculation about Red Bull’s new engine remains a hot topic within paddocks.
In this context, Mark Rushbrook, president of Ford Performance, has returned to discuss the Ford F1 project, explaining how the iconic American brand is intensifying its efforts as the 2026 season rapidly approaches.
Rushbrook on Red Bull development: “We are now working on almost the entire car”
When Ford announced in 2023 that it would collaborate with Red Bull to develop a new power unit, the primary goal was to gain as much knowledge as possible about the electric side of the engine. With the substantial increase in electric power output mandated by the FIA 2026 regulations, this represented an unmissable opportunity for the American manufacturer.
“Our intention was to learn about the electric systems: the battery cell chemistry, the motors, the inverters, the calibration, the control systems, and how everything interacts with the internal combustion engine,” Mark Rushbrook told Motorsport aktuell. “We also wanted to learn how to optimize fuel consumption.”
“Initially, we weren’t very focused on the internal combustion engine, but now we are, because clearly there is still a lot to improve in that area. We are primarily helping with the production of components. So right now, we are working on almost the entire car, including the operational side,” Mark Rushbrook added.
In short, 2026 will be a critical test not only for Red Bull but also for Ford, which returns to Formula 1 with ambitions to make a mark both commercially and technically. The key question remains whether this joint effort will result in a power unit that meets Max Verstappen’s high expectations and is capable of standing up to the competition.
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