Red Bull and Ford Set for Joint 2026 F1 Livery Launch in January

Red Bull's two Formula 1 teams will jointly unveil their 2026 car liveries in January at a Ford event in Detroit, marking the official start of their new engine partnership with the American auto giant. This joint launch will kick off the new rules era for F1, which introduces significant changes to power units and chassis regulations.

Why it matters:

This partnership signifies Ford's return to F1 after a 22-year absence, bringing a major American manufacturer back into the sport at a pivotal moment. For Red Bull, it marks a significant shift as they transition from Honda engines to their own Red Bull Ford Powertrains unit. The success of this new power unit will be crucial for Red Bull's continued dominance and their ability to challenge established engine manufacturers like Mercedes and Ferrari in the highly anticipated 2026 season.

The details:

• Joint Launch Event: Both Red Bull and Racing Bulls will unveil their 2026 liveries at Ford's season launch event for their racing entities, held at Michigan Central Station in Detroit on January 15.
• Engine Partnership: Red Bull Powertrains, in conjunction with Ford, will produce a new power unit for both teams. This marks Red Bull's first time creating their own F1 power unit.
• New Engine Regulations: The 2026 V6 turbo engines will feature a 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power, with nearly a 300% increase in electrical output. Cars will also run on 100% sustainable fuel.
• Ford's Vision: Mark Rushbrook, Ford Racing's global director, emphasized that the partnership is about more than racing; it's about applying F1 learnings to enhance Ford's consumer vehicles and define future technologies.
• Pre-Season Testing Expansion: The 2026 pre-season will feature an expanded three testing sessions due to the scale of the regulatory 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
• Driver Lineup Uncertainty: Max Verstappen is the only confirmed driver for either Red Bull team. The remaining driver decisions for both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls are expected towards the end of the current season in December. Potential candidates for Racing Bulls include Yuki Tsunoda, Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, and Arvid Lindblad.

What's next:

The joint launch event in January will officially kick off the Red Bull-Ford era, providing the first glimpse of the aesthetic direction for 2026. While the new engine project is a