Former Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer has issued a cautionary note to Ford as the American auto giant prepares to re-enter Formula 1 in 2026. The Red Bull-Ford Powertrains collaboration is set to be one of the most highly anticipated projects of the upcoming regulation change era, but Szafnauer warns that the transition from traditional automotive expertise to F1 is not always smooth.
“There are things that work well at Ford that won’t work well in F1. If you mix those two, you can get yourself in trouble.”
Red Bull’s Gamble: Powering the Future with Ford
After Honda’s exit following the 2021 season, Red Bull faced an urgent dilemma—securing a long-term engine partner. The solution? Building power units in-house for the first time under Red Bull Powertrains (RBPT), with Ford joining as a technical partner for the electrification side of the project.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has hailed the Ford collaboration as a massive investment, but Szafnauer’s experience with Ford in the 1990s suggests the road ahead won’t be entirely smooth.
“When I left Ford to go to British American Racing (BAR) in 1998, I quickly learned that while some things from Ford worked well in F1, others didn’t. Knowing which to apply is crucial.”
Why Ford’s F1 Comeback Could Be a Game-Changer—or a Disaster
While Ford is one of the most successful automakers in history, its experience in Formula 1 is limited compared to other manufacturers like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Honda.
🔹 Ford will focus on the hybrid power unit—a critical area under the new 2026 F1 engine regulations that emphasize sustainability and battery technology.
🔹 Unlike Honda, Ford does not have recent F1 engine-building expertise, which means the learning curve will be steep.
🔹 Red Bull needs a seamless transition—any setbacks could jeopardize their dominance, potentially pushing Max Verstappen to consider a move elsewhere.
“Red Bull is getting a very competent and capable partner,” Szafnauer acknowledged. “But how they apply their expertise to F1 will determine their success.”
2026: A Make-or-Break Year for Red Bull and Ford
The Red Bull-Ford Powertrains project is arguably the biggest technical gamble Red Bull has taken since its inception. If the power units lack reliability or competitiveness, it could threaten their championship ambitions—and even shake up the driver market, as Verstappen has performance clauses in his contract that could allow him to leave.
Key Questions Heading into 2026:
⚡ Can Ford successfully adapt its hybrid expertise to F1’s extreme demands?
⚡ Will Red Bull Powertrains deliver a title-winning engine on its first attempt?
⚡ Could Max Verstappen consider other options if the project struggles?
With Mercedes, Ferrari, and Audi (Sauber) all gearing up for 2026, Red Bull and Ford cannot afford to get this wrong. Szafnauer’s warning should serve as a wake-up call—F1 isn’t just about raw engineering talent; it’s about applying it the right way.
The countdown to 2026 is on, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
