Ford Racing chief Mark Rushbrook has stated that the American giant is in it for the long haul in Formula 1, quelling any possibility its stance would be moved by any potential exit from Max Verstappen.
Ford re-entered F1 this year, after 20 years out of the game, when it sold its Jaguar Racing team to Red Bull ahead of the 2005 season.
Now partnered with the Milton Keynes-based squad, the automotive powerhouse has helped produce its first in-house powertain for the first season of F1’s controversial new regulations set.
That, coupled with Red Bull’s tricky start to the season, has led to speculation about Verstappen’s long-term future in F1, having made several withering put-downs of the new rules.
But speaking to motorsport.com, Rushbrook has affirmed that Ford made its decision purely based on the sport, and the dream it shared with the team, rather than the lure of Verstappen’s speed and profile.
“We came to Formula 1 to be in Formula 1 and we chose Red Bull because of who they are as a team, as a culture, not any single individual,” he said.
“And again, we love Max, we love the fact that he’s racing in a Red Bull Ford powered vehicle.
“We would hate to see him leave, but that wouldn’t change our commitment to the sport.”
“There’s always some concern when you see somebody leaving.
“’Why are they leaving? What does it actually mean to the team?’.
“So it’s not that it’s not important, but you react to those things, just like anything else in racing, or even in life. When things happen, it’s all about how you react to them and stay strong.”
Red Bull showed an abundance of improvement at the previous round in Miami, and will be hoping for another step forward this weekend in Canada, where Verstappen finished second last year.
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