Red Bull and Racing Bulls Announce Joint 2026 Season Launch with Ford

Red Bull and its sister team, Racing Bulls, are set to be the first Formula 1 outfits to reveal their plans for the 2026 season. Both teams will unveil their 2026 liveries at a joint event in Detroit on January 15, collaborating with new power unit partner Ford Racing. This early announcement marks the beginning of a significant new era for F1, with substantial changes coming to both chassis and engine regulations.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's early announcement, featuring a joint launch with Racing Bulls and new partner Ford, signals a proactive approach to the 2026 regulations. This collaboration is a major step for Red Bull Powertrains and a high-profile return for Ford to Formula 1 after a two-decade absence. The event's timing, well before the first track tests, highlights the strategic importance both teams place on their public image and new technical partnerships as they gear up for a revolutionary season.

The details:

• Joint Launch Event: Red Bull and Racing Bulls will unveil their 2026 liveries in Detroit on January 15, in conjunction with Ford Racing.
• Ford's Return: This event marks Ford's official re-entry into Formula 1, having last been involved in 2004.
• Power Unit Partnership: Ford is partnering with Red Bull on its inaugural power unit, which is being developed in-house at Red Bull Powertrains. This division was established specifically for the 2026 regulations following Honda's initial decision to withdraw from F1 at the end of 2021.
• Focus on Liveries: The announcement explicitly states the launch will reveal "respective liveries for a new generation of cars," rather than the complete car designs themselves. This suggests a strategic reveal of aesthetics and branding ahead of technical specifications.
• Testing Timeline: The launch event precedes the first behind-closed-doors track test for F1 teams with their new cars, scheduled from January 26-30 in Barcelona.

What's next:

While the January 15 event will focus on liveries and branding, the anticipation will quickly shift to the technical innovations expected from the new 2026 regulations. The partnership between Red Bull Powertrains and Ford is a critical element, and its success will be crucial for Red Bull's continued dominance in the new era. The early launch sets the stage for what promises to be an intriguing build-up to the 2026 season, with other teams expected to follow suit with their own announcements and car reveals in due course.