Ford Affirms Red Bull Partnership Beyond Max Verstappen

Ford Performance director Mark Rushbrook has made it clear that the company's partnership with Red Bull for the 2026 F1 season is not contingent on Max Verstappen's presence. While praising the four-time world champion as a "generational talent," Rushbrook stressed Ford's commitment is to the team and its ambitious new power unit project, not just one driver.

Why it matters:

• The F1 paddock is rife with speculation about Verstappen's long-term future at Red Bull amidst recent team instability. Ford's public declaration aims to quell rumors and project stability for their high-stakes 2026 entry.
• Red Bull Powertrains faces the monumental task of building a competitive engine from scratch. A committed, long-term technical partner like Ford is crucial for success, regardless of the driver lineup.
• The statement positions Ford as a serious manufacturer invested in the technical challenge and the team's future, not just a branding partner hitching a ride on a champion driver's success.

The details:

• Rushbrook lauded Verstappen, telling Motorsport.com, "He's a generational talent... we believe Max is a champion," acknowledging the driver's critical role in extracting performance.
• However, he drew a firm line on the partnership's foundation: "Max is an important part of the team, but not to the point where we're saying, 'If he leaves the team, then we're leaving too.'"
• Ford's faith, he explained, extends to "the team and know that other drivers will arrive in the future," signaling a long-term vision beyond the current grid.

Looking ahead:

• This public commitment allows Red Bull Powertrains to focus entirely on the immense technical challenge of developing its 2026 power unit without added partnership uncertainty.
• While Verstappen's presence is a massive competitive advantage, Ford's stance reinforces that the project's ultimate success hinges on the engineering and the team's ability to produce a competitive package.
• The message is clear: Ford is in F1 to win, but it's investing in a sustainable, long-term project with Red Bull, not just a short-term gamble on a single superstar.