This marks a historic transition for the team, a true leap into the unknown that naturally raises questions, particularly for Max Verstappen. On paper, there is the risk that the package may not be immediately competitive if the Red Bull-Ford project fails to achieve its goals on the first attempt.
The words of Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Motorsport
Mark Rushbrook’s comments offer a promising outlook. The American engineer shared an update on the development status of the Red Bull power unit in preparation for the new technical regulations.
“Things are going according to plan, and we’re where we need to be, but of course everything truly materializes only when the car hits the track,” Mark Rushbrook explained, highlighting that the real test will come during on-track sessions. “It will be an important day and an important week. Only then will we see if all the work of the last three years has paid off.”
The first key moment will be the private test scheduled in Barcelona, where Red Bull and Ford will finally be able to assess the real-world behavior of the power unit. This is a crucial step, as development has so far relied mainly on simulations and bench testing. Despite the optimism, Rushbrook does not hide a certain caution. “Well, there’s always a bit of nervousness when a new car or engine hits the track for the first time,” he admitted. “Our software tools are excellent for design, and our labs are outstanding for developing and calibrating hardware, but you haven’t seen everything until it actually comes together on track.”
Red Bull-Ford project milestones and focus areas
Despite the challenges, the Red Bull-Ford project has already achieved several key milestones. According to Mark Rushbrook, the goals set at the start of the development program have been met, particularly from a conceptual perspective. Now, attention is shifting to one of the most critical aspects of the 2026 power units: drivability.
“It’s about power, performance, reliability, and then drivability,” explained the Ford executive. “Regarding timing and the objectives we set at the beginning of the program, we have met them. In recent months, the work has focused especially on drivability and calibration.”
The overall picture remains complex for all engine manufacturers, as the 2026 regulations represent the most radical technical change in Formula 1 history. This makes it difficult to set precise targets and to differentiate clearly from the competition. “Essentially, everything is based on the rules that everyone must stay within,” Mark Rushbrook clarified when discussing Ford’s objectives. “From there, you can calculate what is theoretically possible, and that becomes your final goal.”
In other words, all manufacturers start from the same limitations and the same laws of physics. The difference, as often happens in F1, will be determined by how efficiently each team can transform theoretical potential into real on-track performance.
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