Verstappen discussing with Mekies and Marko during the GP of Belgium

Ford's top executive provides update on project with Red Bull for 2026

21:27, 19 Aug

Updated: 21:44, 19 Aug

byHidde Korte

From next season, Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen will be driving with Ford engines. In an interview with Motorsport Aktuell, the head of Ford Motorsport, Mark Rushbrook, commented on the current status of the engines and what Ford can learn from Red Bull.

Since 2019, Red Bull has been driving with Honda engines. From 2026, the Austrian team will use its own power units for the first time, in collaboration with Ford.

Rushbrook indicated that he wanted to initially focus on electrification over combustion engines.

“We wanted to learn more about electrification: the chemistry of battery cells, engines, converters, calibration, control, and how everything works together with the combustion engine. We wanted to learn more about optimising fuel efficiency.”

Verstappen will be driving with a Ford engine in 2026, photo: Red Bull Contentpool

Rushbrook continued: “Actually we weren't really interested in working on the combustion engine, but now we are doing it anyway, because we obviously still have a lot to learn in this area. We primarily help in the production of parts. So now we're working on almost the entire car, including the operational side.”

Not everyone is convinced about the Red Bull and Ford project

Whether the project will be a success is yet to be seen. It remains to be seen where the teams will stand with the new regulations. Johnny Herbert earlier stated that he did not expect Verstappen to become world champion. The Briton commented on the team's chances, expecting them to be behind Mercedes in this regard.