F1 News
Ford is in advanced relationship with Red Bull: 'Not expected so soon'
- Cas van de Kleut
Once the new engine regulations take effect in 2026, Red Bull Racing and Ford will do everything they can to have the best possible engine in the car. The US carmaker is helping Red Bull Powertrains make the modified engines. According to Ford's head of motorsport, Mark Rushbrook, the collaboration is already on a fast track at the moment.
After Red Bull failed to get a deal with Honda, the Austrian racing stable decided to switch to Ford. Meanwhile, the relationship between Red Bull and Ford is already very far along, Rushbrook told Speed Cafe: "I would say that the relationship has accelerated and progressed even further and faster than we initially imagined in terms of the opportunity to contribute to the programme, technical resources that we have, whether it’s people or facilities"
The engine to be driven from 2026 will be hybrid. According to Rushbrook, Ford is well on its way to studying the engines: "We’re learning so much already and applying so much already in terms of the electrification side of it, the battery cell technology, the motors, the control software for these motors."