Red Bull's 2026 Engine Officially Listed as 'Red Bull Ford' by FIA

The FIA's official entry list for the 2026 Formula 1 season reveals that the power units developed by Red Bull's in-house division will be officially branded as Red Bull Ford, dropping the 'Powertrains' name and hyphen from their previous title. This rebranding comes as the team prepares to supply its works team and sister squad, Racing Bulls, with engines built entirely at their Milton Keynes campus for the first time.

Why it matters:

The simplified branding represents a strategic tightening of the partnership's public identity ahead of a critical new era. For 2026, Red Bull is not only launching its first fully self-built power unit but is also entering a high-stakes period as a full-fledged works team. A clear, concise engine name helps solidify the technical alliance with Ford in the public and commercial spheres as they aim to defend their competitive position against established manufacturers like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Honda.

The details:

• The FIA's published entry list shows the engine manufacturer for both Oracle Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls as "Red Bull Ford."
• This marks an evolution from the original "Red Bull Powertrains" name used during the development phase and the subsequent "Red Bull Powertrains-Ford" title announced when the partnership was formalized.
• The team's official racing name—Oracle Red Bull Racing—and its corporate entity, Red Bull Racing Limited, remain unchanged.

The big picture:

This administrative update is a minor but symbolic step in Red Bull's long-term project to achieve complete technical independence. Since the conclusion of their partnership with Honda, Red Bull has invested heavily in its Powertrains division, recruiting top talent and constructing new facilities. The 2026 season, featuring major new engine regulations, will be the ultimate test of that investment. A successful debut is crucial for maintaining the team's championship-winning momentum beyond the current regulatory cycle.

What's next:

All focus now shifts to the reliability and performance of the Red Bull Ford power unit as it undergoes rigorous testing ahead of the 2026 season. The simplified branding will become a familiar sight on the timing screens and official documents, representing one of the most anticipated technical projects on the grid. Its performance will determine if Red Bull can transition from a championship-winning customer team to a dominant works manufacturer for the next decade.