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'Red Bull can start forgetting about winning with Ford in 2026'
- Sandy van Wijngaarden
Last week, the technical regulations for 2026 were released. This has so far caused discontent among F1 drivers and F1 teams. In addition, further speculation has increased again about who will be able to win the championship in 2026. Former Formula 1 driver Robert Doornbos is adamant: Red Bull Racing at least not.
As in 2022, in 2026 the technical regulations will again go through a complete overhaul. One key component is sustainabilty. The engine will play an important role as a result. Red Bull will design its own engine in collaboration with Ford. Doornbos has very little faith in this, he expresses in the Ziggo Sport Race Café.
Red Bull Racing has no chance in 2026
'You have to be with a manufacturer,' the Dutchman explains. "One manufacturer will be champion in 2026. It will be Mercedes, Ferrari." According to Doornbos, the rules are so complex that it is difficult for a privateer to buy into that, as there are many different engines. He was asked the question: 'So Red Bull is not going to be champion?' To which Doornbos replied: "Not in 2026 no."
On reflection, the former F1 driver does not rule out Audi and Honda for the world championship either. According to Doornbos, Ford only has a very small stake in the whole Powertrains project. At that, he mentions again that he thinks Max Verstappen will leave for Mercedes in 2026.
This article was written in collaboration with Sophia Crothall.
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