Red Bull, Ford to Debut In-House Power Unit Era

Red Bull and Ford are set to kick off the 2026 F1 season with a launch event at Ford's Detroit headquarters, officially unveiling their first in-house power unit. Team principal Laurent Mekies has framed the partnership as a 'bold step into the future,' highlighting Red Bull's ambitious move to become a power unit manufacturer. This new chapter begins after the conclusion of their highly successful partnership with Honda, which now powers Aston Martin.

Why it matters:

Red Bull is transitioning from a customer team to a full-fledged manufacturer, a massive and costly undertaking that only top teams like Ferrari and Mercedes have historically managed. The success of this in-house power unit is critical for Red Bull to maintain its championship-winning form in the new 2026 regulatory era, which features significant technical changes. The partnership with Ford, an American automotive giant, also signifies a major strategic push to grow F1's presence in the U.S. market.

The details:

• The 2026 season launch for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls is scheduled for January 15 at Ford's base in Detroit, making them the first team to reveal their new challenger.
• Mekies previously called the project a "typical Red Bull, crazy thing to do," but also praised it as a "powerful expression of what’s possible when world-class engineering, innovation, and passion come together."
• The 2026 regulations introduce a fundamental change to F1 power units, with a greater emphasis on hybrid technology and sustainable fuels, making the timing of this new project especially challenging.
• This new engine replaces the Honda power units that powered Red Bull to multiple drivers' and constructors' world championships from 2019 to 2023.

What's next:

All eyes will be on pre-season testing to see how the new Red Bull Ford Powertrains unit stacks up against established manufacturers like Ferrari, Mercedes, and the returning Honda/Aston Martin partnership. While the launch marks the symbolic start of this new era, the true measure of success will be determined on the track, as Red Bull aims to prove its 'crazy' ambitious project is a championship-winning formula.