Red Bull and Ford Announce Joint 2026 F1 Launch in Detroit

Red Bull Racing and its sister team, Racing Bulls, are set to unveil their 2026 liveries and kick off their new engine partnership with Ford at a joint event in Detroit on January 15. This launch marks a significant moment as Formula 1 enters a new era with revised power unit and chassis regulations, bringing Ford back to the sport after a 22-year absence.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's venture into manufacturing its own power units in collaboration with Ford represents a massive undertaking. Success in this new era, with a 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power and sustainable fuels, could solidify Red Bull's long-term dominance or open the door for established manufacturers like Mercedes and Ferrari, along with newcomer Audi, to regain an edge.

The Details:

• Joint Launch Event: Both Red Bull F1 teams will reveal their 2026 liveries together for the first time at a Ford event at Michigan Central Station in Detroit on January 15.
• New Engine Partnership: Red Bull Powertrains, in conjunction with Ford, will produce its own power unit for both teams. This marks Ford's return to F1 after a 22-year hiatus.
• 2026 Regulations: The new regulations introduce significant changes:
  • V6 turbo engines will feature a 50-50 split between the internal combustion engine and electrical power, with a nearly 300 percent increase in electrical output.
  • Cars will run on 100 percent sustainable fuel.
• Extensive Testing: Pre-season testing for 2026 has been expanded from one to three sessions due to the scale of the changes:
  • Test One (private): January 26-30 at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
  • Test Two: February 11-13 at Bahrain International Circuit
  • Test Three: February 18-20 at Bahrain International Circuit
• Red Bull's Challenge: Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged the engine project as a "massive undertaking," emphasizing a top-level approach in every area to compete with seasoned manufacturers.

The Big Picture:

Ford Racing's global director, Mark Rushbrook, highlighted the alignment of F1's growth, new fanbase, and sustainable technology focus with Ford's vision. He stressed that the learnings from F1 would directly benefit future Ford road cars and trucks, showcasing the symbiotic relationship between motorsport innovation and automotive development.

What's next:

While the focus is on the 2026 car and engine, driver line-ups for Red Bull's two teams remain largely unconfirmed beyond Max Verstappen. Decisions on the remaining seats are expected towards the end of the current season in December. The 2026 season itself will feature a 24-race calendar, kicking off with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8, followed by a packed schedule that includes several Sprint weekends and a new Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid.