Red Bull Teams to Unveil 2026 Cars with Ford in Detroit

Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls will jointly unveil their 2026 liveries on January 15 in Detroit, marking the official launch of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains partnership. This event celebrates Ford's return to Formula 1 and Red Bull's debut as a full power unit manufacturer, signaling a significant shift in the sport's technical landscape.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's move to become a full power unit manufacturer with Ford for the 2026 season represents a massive strategic shift, moving away from being a customer team. This partnership aims to give Red Bull greater control over its destiny, especially with new engine regulations coming into play. Ford's return adds a storied automotive giant back to F1, bringing significant marketing power and technical expertise to the grid.

The details:

• Joint Launch in Detroit: Both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri) will unveil their 2026 liveries simultaneously on January 15 at Ford’s US headquarters in Detroit. This is the first time Red Bull's two teams have had a joint launch event.
• Red Bull Ford Powertrains: The launch marks the official beginning of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains partnership. Red Bull will become a full power unit manufacturer for the first time, collaborating with Ford on the new-generation engines.
• Ford's F1 Return: This partnership signifies Ford's return to Formula 1, having last been involved as an engine supplier and team owner (Jaguar Racing, which later became Red Bull Racing) until the end of 2004.
• Technical Overhaul: The 2026 season will introduce significant technical changes to power unit regulations, including the removal of the MGU-H system, a threefold increase in battery output, and reduced fuel loads to promote greater efficiency and sustainability.
• Car Debut: While liveries will be revealed in January, the actual 2026 cars are expected to make their track debut later, likely at a private test in Barcelona at the end of January.
• Leadership Comments: Laurent Mekies (Red Bull Racing CEO and Team Principal) emphasized the culmination of years of collaboration. Jim Farley (Ford President and CEO) highlighted the intent to use F1 learnings to improve road cars. Peter Bayer (Racing Bulls CEO) noted the significance of launching in Detroit, Ford's birthplace.

What's next:

Beyond the immediate unveilings, the driver lineup for Red Bull in 2026 remains a key discussion point. While Max Verstappen is confirmed, speculation is rife regarding the second Red Bull Racing seat, with Isack Hadjar potentially moving up. The Racing Bulls' seats are also contested by Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, and Arvid Lindblad. The true performance of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains unit will be revealed as testing commences and the 2026 season draws closer, shaping the competitive dynamics for the new regulatory era.