Red Bull Powertrains and Ford Forge Ahead with 2026 F1 Engine Project
In a rare behind-the-scenes look, media were granted access to the Red Bull Powertrains facility in Milton Keynes, where the energy drink giant is developing its own engine for the 2026 Formula 1 season in partnership with Ford Motorsports.
The tour of the Jochen Rindt building, named after the legendary Austrian racing driver, revealed the extensive work underway to prepare for the major engine regulation changes set to take effect in 2026. With the MGU-H set to disappear and the percentage of electric power increasing significantly, Red Bull is taking its engine future into its own hands after Honda’s departure as a partner.
“We take fate fully into our own hands now; apart from Ferrari, we are the only team in F1 to have the engine and chassis departments at the same campus heading into 2026,” said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
The partnership with Ford, which was forged after negotiations with Porsche broke down, sees the American manufacturer contributing to the electrical, turbocharger, and testing components of the new power unit. However, Red Bull maintains full control over the overall design and development.
“We are not saying ‘you have to do it like this’. No, Red Bull has been in Formula 1 for years, so we mainly ask them what they need from us to be successful together,” explained Ford Motorsports chief Mark Rushbrook.
The tour of the state-of-the-art facility, which Horner believes surpasses even Mercedes’ engine operations, revealed the meticulous assembly and testing processes that will underpin the new Red Bull-Ford engine. With the capacity to supply up to four teams, Red Bull is focused on ensuring its own cars are equipped with the best possible power unit for the 2026 season.
As the Formula 1 landscape undergoes a major transformation with the introduction of new engine regulations, Red Bull’s bold move to develop its own power unit in partnership with Ford could prove to be a crucial strategic advantage in the coming years. The energy drink giant is determined to take control of its destiny and emerge as a dominant force in the sport’s next era.
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