Red Bull Racing and Ford are teaming up for a massive challenge in Formula 1, and they’re not wasting any time. The two companies are already hard at work developing power units for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls for the 2026 season. They’ll be going up against some pretty tough competition – Ferrari, Mercedes, and Honda have been at this game for years.
But don’t count them out just yet.
Otmar Szafnauer, who knows both F1 and Ford inside out, thinks this partnership could be something special. And he should know – he used to run F1 teams and managed Ford’s racing programs in the US.
Ford’s no rookie when it comes to F1. They’ve done it all – ran their own team, built engines that helped Lotus and Williams win championships, and even owned Cosworth for a while.
"Red Bull are getting a very competent and capable partner," Szafnauer told PlanetF1.
What makes Ford different? It’s all about planning ahead – way ahead. Szafnauer learned this firsthand and brought Ford’s methods to F1 when he worked at BAR.
"Look at it this way," he explains. "In 2023, you’re already thinking about your 2026 car. You need checkpoints – do you have at least three aerodynamicists working on 2026? Someone handling regulations with the FIA? Enough powertrain experts?"
It’s like having a really detailed roadmap for success. Every decision gets questioned, every move gets planned.
Szafnauer broke it down even further. He had three team leaders just for manufacturing and purchasing, each responsible for getting their parts ready on time and up to standard.
Here’s the interesting part: he was the only one in F1 using Ford’s approach. Looks like Red Bull might be getting more than just an engine partner – they’re getting decades of know-how in how to build a winning team.
The 2026 season might seem far away, but in F1 terms, it’s right around the corner. And this Red Bull-Ford combo? They’re already revving up for something big.
