Red Bull has partnered with the American automaker Ford to collaborate on power units for the 2026 Formula 1 season. Ford, which has been absent from the sport for nearly 22 years, will return to Formula 1 in 2026 and Red Bull has high expectations that the manufacturer will deliver an impressive engine. Ford’s extended contribution to the Austrian constructor was revealed during the 2024 season.
Previous reports suggested that Ford was considering ending its partnership with Red Bull due to an investigation, but after an independent investigation cleared Red Bull team principal Christian Horner of any allegations, these rumors subsided. Despite being behind in engine development, Ford is now fully committed to supporting Red Bull.
Ford CEO Jim Farley clarified the situation by stating that Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and Turbo were not part of Ford’s plan for Red Bull. However, the manufacturer has experience in modeling and testing, which could be valuable in helping the Austrian team in Formula 1.
While Ford will continue to develop the engine in certain aspects, their main focus will be on the electrical components for the chassis. However, Ford is prepared to provide direct technical support for other elements as well. The success of Red Bull’s partnership with Ford will depend on the engine’s performance under the new regulations.
The changes in regulations for the 2026 season have left all manufacturers uncertain about the data. Several manufacturers will strive to provide teams with the best possible engine. Despite the lack of direct comparison with rival teams, Mark Rushbrook, CEO of Ford Performance, expressed unwavering belief in Ford and Red Bull’s ability to manufacture a great engine. He acknowledged that, while they were not aware of the competition’s development curve, they had their own goals and knew what was needed for success.
Currently, Red Bull benefits from strong performance of Honda’s power unit. Therefore, Ford will need to deliver exceptional results to surpass the Japanese manufacturer. With Horner’s investigation completed, there are no more rumors of Ford leaving the team. As a result, the 2026 season promises to be highly exciting with power units developed in-house by these two giants.
