'Red Bull actively in talks with Ford for 2026 engines'

Red Bull Racing is said to be in active talks with Ford about a possible collaboration in Formula 1. According to Motorsport.com the US manufacturer would be interested in on working with Red Bull on the PU's in 2026.

Red Bull is currently working with Honda, which actually supplies the engines. From 2026, Red Bull wants to make the engines completely in-house via Red Bull Powertrains. Team boss Christian Horner previously indicated that interested parties are welcome to contribute, but that it is not a must for Red Bull. For example, Porsche dropped out after long negotiations because Red Bull did not want to give up too much control. Since then, Red Bull has been associated with various manufacturers.

Cooperation could be beneficial for both sides

For Ford, it is a simple calculation: with Red Bull Powertrains, Audi and Honda officially signed up - which apparently still wants to keep its options open - and the expectation that Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault will continue to supply their own engines, there is little room for Ford to also become a supplier. So a partnership with Red Bull Powertrains for shared engine development is a logical option.

It is also not an unthinkable collaboration. Red Bull as a company already sponsors the Ford cars in the WRC competition. Ford would reportedly not want the same say in the organisation as Porsche did demand, and because Ford has the knowledge and budget but not the technical resources and factories of Red Bull Powertrains, the collaboration could be beneficial for both sides. It is also a nice bonus for Red Bull to have an American business partner at a time when Formula 1 is rapidly expanding in the US market.