Red Bull receives additional help from Ford on a crucial '26 engine component

18:57, 03 Jan

byNicole Mulder

The collaboration between Red Bull Powertrains and Ford is proving to be more extensive than originally planned.

"What we didn't expect, and what wasn't a priority for us initially, was the combustion engine."

- Mark Rushbrook

While the American brand initially intended to focus mainly on the electric component of the new 2026 engine, Ford is now also involved in the development of the internal combustion engine.

According to Ford Performance director Mark Rushbrook, that changed over time, partly due to a new strategic direction within the company.

Ford was originally meant to focus on the electric side of the F1 power unit, including the battery and software.

“That was primarily the list, and that has certainly been delivered. But what we didn't expect, and what wasn't a priority for us initially, was the combustion engine,” he explains to Motorsport.com.

Max Verstappen will drive in 2026 with a Red Bull Ford Powertrains engine - Photo: RacePictures

Ford also deeply involved in the internal combustion engine

That shift stemmed from changes in Ford’s own product strategy for road cars. Whereas the manufacturer previously focused mainly on electrification, the company now also wants to continue developing the internal combustion engine alongside hybrid and electric models. As a result, it became logical for Ford to be more involved in Red Bull’s combustion engine as well.

Rushbrook says that Ford manufactures components on a daily basis for the new F1 internal combustion engine.

“As we were working on the electric part of it, and we saw what was going on with the combustion engine, we saw an opportunity to participate and contribute,” he explains.

Rushbrook says that Ford's additional involvement did not happen because Red Bull had issues. He explains that collaboration between the two engineering teams can move the project forward.

“It wasn't necessarily that things were lacking, but as you have the technical minds together, and they're working on certain things, they overhear or get asked questions. What would Ford do in this situation? And that's where we were able to say, we can actually help, and we have been able to contribute to that part.”

Later this month, the new Formula 1 power units will be tested on track for the first time at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The test, which will take place behind closed doors, should reveal where the Red Bull Ford power unit stands compared to its rivals.

GPblog's F1 Paddock Update

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.