P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ford detail how involved they are with Red Bull’s F1 engine project
Ford has increased their involvement in Red Bull’s engine project for 2026, following the team’s decision to form their own engine division, Red Bull Powertrains, after parting ways with Honda. Red Bull, initially a customer team, achieved success with Renault before becoming the de facto factory Honda team from 2019. Honda’s withdrawal announcement coincided with Max Verstappen’s first F1 title win, prompting Red Bull to form RBRPT, with Ford as a technical partner. Ford’s role evolved from providing expertise in battery cells and electric motors to being involved in all design aspects of the upcoming car, as confirmed by Mark Rushbrook in a recent interview. The 2026 season is poised to witness significant F1 regulation changes, with cars becoming smaller, lighter, and featuring active aerodynamics, while power units will be split evenly between electric and combustion power, running on sustainable fuel. Rushbrook acknowledged the challenges of building an F1 engine from scratch, emphasizing the importance of resources even for a powerhouse like Red Bull, particularly considering it would be Milton Keynes’ first engine development endeavor.
