The Global Director of Ford Performance has praised what he describes as an “excellent” relationship with Red Bull, as it increases its input into the team’s 2026 Formula 1 powertrain.
The Milton Keynes-based squad and the American marque announced a collaboration two years ago, as its own powertrains department wraps up its operations of the team’s Honda engines.
Work is already well underway with Ford, and upon the commencement of the 2026 season, with long-awaited new regulations, the two parties will merge to form Red Bull Ford Powertrains.
Mark Rushbrook, Ford Performance’s Global Director, told Motorsport.com of his happiness with how the two entities have collaborated so far.
“The partnership is actually getting stronger every day, from the first talks and the moment the contract was signed, although the work had already started before then,” he said.
“We are contributing in different areas. In a general sense, we are on track with our timeline for the ICE [internal combustion engine] and the electrical components.
“Of course, there is still a lot of work to do and we still have a lot to prove in terms of durability, but in terms of cooperation – the openness, trust and contribution from both sides – has been excellent so far.
“It has been everything we had hoped for and actually even more than expected.”
Such is the strength in the bond and work already being forged, Rushbrook revealed that Ford is already increasing its responsibilities in the 2026 powertrain’s development.
“Initially, the focus was on electrification. But with our advanced manufacturing facility and our printing machines, we can make things in real time,” referring to 3d printing.
“We literally make things every day that come out of Dearborn [Michigan, Ford’s HQ], get shipped and tested in the lab in Milton Keynes.”
Rushbrook added that Ford employees are also becoming involved in the project, saying: “It tests our people, our processes and our facilities.
“It pushes us to do things we have never done before, even in other motorsport programmes.”
Red Bull and Ford will overcome inexperience
It is not unreasonable to say that Ford has little experience with this kind of hybrid engine before, and that Red Bull Powertrains is a nascent organisation working with pre-existing power units.
But Rushbrook is clear that the shared enthusiasm and passion among those working on the venture will help to bridge that gap.
“The project has indeed been built from scratch, but with people who already have a lot of experience in Formula 1,” he said.
“And yes, a lot of people with little experience have joined as well, but everyone in our team is a racer and is used to working at high speed.
“When you see people around you working faster, you speed up yourself and adapt to that speed. That has happened with our team too.”
Rushbrook also confirmed that whilst it isn’t smooth sailing in every aspect, the project is currently meeting its targets.
“Yes, although of course there are always exceptions because you can never achieve everything 100 per cent,” he said. “But when it comes to meeting the power numbers, then absolutely.
“Then it’s all about the reliability tests to match that. In doing so, do you get everything perfectly? No, but that is the reality of any programme.
“That just happens along the way and then it’s about how you react, in terms of urgency and in terms of people’s mindset. So we react to what we see.”
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