Ford and Red Bull Racing’s F1 powertrain partnership aims for a monumental 2026 debut, marking a historic return for Ford to Formula 1 racing.
Red Bull Racing and Ford are gearing up for a “monumental moment” as they prepare for their first Formula 1 test with their new hybrid powertrain in 2026. Speaking to “Car and Driver”, key figures from both Ford Performance and Red Bull Racing discussed how their partnership came to fruition and what it means for the future of motorsport.
While Ford had been heavily involved in global racing across multiple disciplines like NASCAR and rallying, the company hadn’t owned a factory Formula 1 team in years. According to Ford Performance’s global director, Mark Rushbrook, the decision to re-enter F1 wasn’t about running a team but about leveraging the technical evolution in F1—especially with the increased focus on hybrid powertrains.
“We realized that the hybrid regulations made more sense for Ford,” Rushbrook said, recalling how he and Ford executives Jim Farley and Bill Ford began contemplating a return to F1. This conversation gained traction after Red Bull’s 2022 deal with Porsche fell through. Rushbrook, eager to explore opportunities with Red Bull, soon reached out to F1 veteran Pat Symonds, and within a week, he was headed to Red Bull’s headquarters in Milton Keynes.
Though initially scheduled for just a 30-minute meeting, Rushbrook’s conversation with Red Bull Racing CEO Christian Horner lasted over two hours. “It was a match that made sense,” Rushbrook noted, emphasizing the shared enthusiasm for a Ford-Red Bull collaboration.
Horner, likewise, expressed excitement about the partnership. “Ford’s legacy in F1 speaks for itself,” he said. “The brand is iconic in motorsport and synonymous with the U.S. It’s an exciting moment for both Ford and Red Bull.”
The partnership quickly took shape, with key meetings following in Austin and Dearborn, Michigan. The development of the powertrain is in full swing, and both companies are preparing for the 2026 Formula 1 season with high expectations. Horner admitted, however, that there are many challenges ahead: “We have 48 weeks of rigorous development to ensure the engine is competitive.”
Still, he remains optimistic about the future. “By this time next year, we’ll be testing Red Bull Ford powertrains in Barcelona, and that will be a historic milestone.”
For Red Bull and Ford, this partnership signifies the revival of a legendary motorsport brand in Formula 1, with the blue oval once again set to appear on the track in 2026.
