Horner on deal with Ford: "A big chapter in our history"

After the withdrawal of Honda and a failed deal with Porsche because the German brand had wanted too much say in the organisation, Red Bull has now found in Ford the ideal partner to develop engines with. From 2026 - when new engine regulations take effect - Ford will be on the track with Red Bull Racing in Formula 1. Exactly how the partnership with Red Bull Powertrains will be handled is not yet entirely clear, but it is known that the organisation will continue as Red Bull Ford from 2026.

'This has a lot of advantages'

In any case, Horner is enthusiastic. "It's a big chapter in our history," says the team boss. "I think Ford is a great brand. It’s a commercial and technical deal, it has significant benefit because the US market is booming at the moment. And of course as a power unit manufacturer we want to tap into their expertise and know-how, particularly at the electric vehicle side, where they’re investing so much in their product range."

For Red Bull, it is not only a big change, it is also the first major development that will take place without Dietrich Mateschitz. The Red Bull founder - who was also very much involved in the ins and outs of the Formula 1 team - passed away last October, just before the team captured the constructors' title. Nevertheless, Horner makes it clear that this had Mateschitz's blessing. "I think this was one of the very last significant strategic decisions that he was aware of. He was fully supportive as well before his sad passing. We have the full commitment of the shareholders, and that enables us to keep going about our business as we have over the last eighteen years or so."

'We want to be well prepared'

Verstappen also sees benefit in this partnership. "We are of course extremely happy that they are joining us," explains the Dutchman. "Ford has of course already achieved a lot in Formula 1 in the years before. We're really looking forward to it and I also think it's very important that we start now in 2023. It may sound far away, 2026, but a year goes by in no time. And of course we want to be well prepared in '26."