SUMMARY
- Red Bull could retain its dominance over the entire grid beyond the 2026 F1 season
- Ford remains a key factor in Red Bull's hopes of winning a world championship title over the forthcoming era
As the 2024 season approaches, the defending constructors’ champion Red Bull has plans to partner with Ford for 2026 and beyond. The outfit that once struggled to beat Mercedes with 8 back-to-back constructors championships, finally had a chance to seek the greatest fightback in the hybrid era.
Although the Austrian team managed to win almost every race and break multiple records in 2023, their worries are finally knocking on the doors as the 2026 season approaches with many betting on Red Bull’s downfall.
As much as people have enjoyed watching Max Verstappen dominate the season like never before and take home 19 race wins, fans have now asked for more competition at the front of the grid. However, many believe Red Bull is capable of bringing Ford to the top with them in 2026 despite the insights about the powertrain.
Red Bull boosts Ford to the top of the game
Red Bull has seen itself go from getting on top of the game to becoming unstoppable and unbeatable in no time. With their 2022 season a major success, the team came in to snatch the 2023 season and make it theirs completely. Despite enduring a minor stumble during their Singapore weekend, it did not take long for them to get back up.
With 10 consecutive wins in a season, the critics have also drawn similarities between Verstappen and legends of the sport like Schumacher and Vettel. However, Red Bull’s only worry now is the 2026 season with multiple regulation changes including a complete change in the power unit. Another worry that blossoms for them is their partnership with Honda coming to an end.
Nonetheless, the team has already focused on the 2026 powertrain which will be developed at Milton Keynes with plans to develop an equivalent engine compared to the one that has brought the RB19 to great victory. Talking about the upcoming partnership with Red Bull, Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley said,
🗣️ | Director of Ford Performance Mark Rushbrook on working with Red Bull
“With Red Bull, the work is being fantastic, they are our partners, and we are focused on winning, we want to have the ability to win in motorsport, and we hope to do it with the best partner.”
“We have… pic.twitter.com/9vqscS6jHW
— RBR News 🇳🇱🇲🇽 (@redbulletin) January 14, 2024
“I mean, we’ve got the best drivers, we’ve got the best technical support. We have the best of Ford around the globe to support them. But the team, the powertrain team that they’re building in Milton Keynes, is like absolutely, top-notch. We’re going first class to the very top of the podium.”
After returning to the sport after a long time of no opportunity, Farley has expressed his excitement to see Ford return to the top with a team like Red Bull.
Ford CEO not worried about Mercedes and Ferrari
The 2026 season has already caused havoc in F1 with many hoping to see Red Bull being dethroned by Mercedes or Ferrari at least once. However, the Ford CEO is not as worried about the 50% electrical aspect of the engine that will be introduced in 2026.
Although Mercedes and Ferrari and far more experienced when it comes to developing a 50% electric engine. He said, “We can offer battery tech for them, because in ‘26, they’re going to go to like 50% electric, and they need high discharge batteries. We do that in NHRA, for example.”
Getting ready for the Ford Performance kickoff party. Cool to see @SChecoPerez man, Red Bull racing had a killer 2023! pic.twitter.com/gRtSdeO9Dj
— WHAT’S INSIDE? (@whatsinside) January 17, 2024
With the confidence of pairing with a dominating team in F1, Ford is more than aware that they will be pulling as many gears as they can to get the best outcome and help Red Bull with the data they have.
