Ford’s involvement in Red Bull Powertrains’ power unit development has extended far beyond the original agreement, with the American manufacturer playing a significant role in internal combustion engine development rather than focusing solely on the hybrid and electrical systems as initially planned. Mark Rushbrook, director of Ford Performance Motorsports, has revealed how the partnership evolved to encompass a broader scope of technical collaboration, fundamentally reshaping the relationship between the two organisations ahead of the 2026 regulation changes.
Strategic shift in Ford’s technical contribution
When Ford and Red Bull announced their partnership, the division of responsibilities appeared straightforward. Red Bull Powertrains would handle the internal combustion engine, while Ford would concentrate on the electrical components including the battery cell, electric motor, inverter, and associated software systems. This arrangement reflected Ford’s strategic pivot toward electrification in its road car portfolio.
However, as the project progressed, Ford’s contribution expanded substantially. Rushbrook explained that the original focus centred on the electrical architecture, battery chemistry, and calibration software. These areas remain core to Ford’s technical input, but the scope has grown considerably. The shift reflects both the complexity of modern Formula 1 power units and changes in Ford’s broader automotive strategy.
The American manufacturer’s decision to maintain a diverse powertrain portfolio across its road car range, including traditional internal combustion engines alongside hybrid and fully electric vehicles, made involvement in the ICE development increasingly relevant. This strategic realignment transformed what was initially a targeted collaboration into a comprehensive engineering partnership.
Red Bull’s transition from Honda partnership
Red Bull Racing‘s partnership with Honda delivered remarkable success between 2019 and 2025. With Max Verstappen behind the wheel, the combination secured six world championships, including four consecutive drivers’ titles for the Dutchman and two constructors’ championships. The partnership produced 71 Grand Prix victories, establishing Red Bull as the dominant force in modern Formula 1.
Honda’s decision to switch allegiance to Aston Martin for the 2026 regulatory era forced Red Bull to chart a new course. Rather than seeking an alternative customer supply arrangement, the Milton Keynes-based team chose to develop its own power unit through Red Bull Powertrains, the dedicated facility established in the former Renault engine base. The Ford partnership provided crucial technical expertise and resources to support this ambitious undertaking.
The collaboration represents Ford’s return to Formula 1 after decades away from the sport’s premier category. For Red Bull, it offered access to Ford’s extensive powertrain development capabilities and manufacturing technologies developed across the company’s global automotive operations.
Technical expertise across multiple domains
Rushbrook outlined specific areas where Ford’s contribution has proven most valuable. On the electrical side, Ford brought chemical engineering expertise to battery cell development, while simultaneously gaining knowledge that feeds back into its road car programmes. The reciprocal nature of this technology transfer underscores the mutual benefits both organisations derive from the partnership.
Software development and calibration represent perhaps Ford’s most significant contribution. Modern Formula 1 power units require extraordinarily sophisticated control systems to manage the interaction between the internal combustion engine and hybrid components. Ford’s decades of experience developing electronic control units and calibration strategies for road cars translated directly into competitive advantages for Red Bull’s 2026 power unit.
Beyond software, Ford’s involvement extends to fundamental design work, component manufacturing, and advanced production techniques. Rushbrook specifically highlighted additive manufacturing—3D printing from CAD models—as an area where Ford’s expertise has elevated Red Bull Powertrains’ capabilities. These advanced manufacturing processes allow for rapid prototyping and the production of complex geometries that would be impossible or prohibitively expensive using traditional methods.
Elevating Red Bull’s engineering capabilities
The partnership has delivered tangible improvements to Red Bull Powertrains’ overall engineering capacity. Rushbrook noted that Ford’s involvement has lifted the organisation to a significantly higher level compared to previous programmes. This progression reflects not just additional resources, but the integration of methodologies and processes refined across Ford’s extensive motorsport and automotive engineering operations.
The physical production of components represents another crucial dimension. Formula 1 power units demand manufacturing precision measured in microns, with components operating under extreme thermal and mechanical stresses. Ford’s production engineering expertise, developed across millions of road car engines, provides invaluable insight into durability, quality control, and manufacturing efficiency.
This knowledge transfer works both ways. Ford gains access to cutting-edge motorsport technology operating at the absolute limit of performance, providing insights that can filter back into future road car development. The closed-loop nature of this collaboration creates continuous improvement cycles benefiting both partners.
Implications for the 2026 regulatory era
The expanded partnership positions Red Bull strongly for the radical power unit regulations arriving in 2026. The new rules dramatically increase the electrical component’s power output while maintaining a conventional internal combustion engine, creating a more balanced hybrid system. Ford’s deep involvement in both aspects of this architecture should provide Red Bull with integrated development capabilities that customer teams cannot match.
As Red Bull Powertrains prepares to supply not just the senior team but also the RB squad, the manufacturing and quality systems Ford has helped establish will prove critical. Producing multiple power units per season while maintaining performance and reliability demands operational excellence across every aspect of the programme.
The partnership demonstrates how modern Formula 1 increasingly blurs the lines between motorsport and mainstream automotive engineering, with technologies and expertise flowing freely in both directions. For Ford, continued relevance to its road car strategy makes the Formula 1 programme far more than a marketing exercise—it has become an integral part of the company’s powertrain development ecosystem.
