P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull’s task of developing its own power unit is making strides in the right direction, according to technical partner Ford.
Ford Motorsport global director Mark Rushbrook has provided an update on Red Bull’s power unit for the 2026 F1 regulations, offering a boost for Max Verstappen. This marks Red Bull’s first foray into manufacturing their own engines, with Ford offering technical support for this new partnership. The move represents a significant shift into the unknown for Red Bull, potentially posing a risk for Verstappen’s competitiveness. The upcoming private test in Barcelona will be crucial in determining the success of the power unit, according to Rushbrook. While progress is being made, there remains a level of nervousness within Ford about how the engine will perform on the track. Rushbrook stressed the importance of actual track performance over simulated data in assessing the power unit’s effectiveness.
