Ford CEO Jim Farley has embraced the pressure of partnering with Red Bull Racing for its new Red Bull Powertrains project in Formula 1 2026. The Milton Keynes team will split from Honda at the end of this season and introduce its own power units in collaboration with Ford.
During an interview with Sky Sports F1, Farley highlighted Ford’s determination to make the partnership successful: “Well, I think we fully understand not only what we’re up against to support Laurent [Mekies] and the team, but we also understand the history of our company and our contribution to Formula 1. And I certainly understand that personally.
“So, yes. And I think it won’t be just the first race. It’ll be many years to come. The pressure we’ll feel every day, every week, as we work together closely. We know that’s coming.”
Mekies Highlights Growing Collaboration
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies praised the strengthening collaboration between the two companies as they prepare for 2026.
“Every single day that passes, we are working more and more together. The brainstorming becomes more intense. We try to find new areas in which we can develop together, in which we can push each other.
“So, it’s exactly what we need given the size of the challenge. And I’m sure, as Jim said, it’s not only what’s separating us from now to the first day of testing. It’s after that we will continue to grow together, we will continue to push each other, and I’m sure the collaborations will become stronger and stronger.”
Ford’s F1 Legacy
Ford is no stranger to Formula 1 success. The brand previously partnered with Cosworth to develop the legendary DFV engine, which dominated the sport between 1967 and 1983. That era produced 155 grand prix wins, 13 drivers’ titles, and 10 constructors’ championships.
Farley on Winning Ambitions
When asked if winning in the first year of the partnership was realistic, Farley expressed confidence in Ford’s experience: “Well, it isn’t our first rodeo. We’ve been in Formula 1 for a while, and I think that’s good. As Laurent said, we’re very humbled as a company. We’re a humble company anyways, but these are the best technical people in the world in motorsports.
“And all I can say is we put our best effort in so far. And I just want to emphasize what he said, which is it’s not just what we do in that first couple races. It’s going to be how fast we react to what we learn about the chassis, about everything. And we understand that at Ford. We have our best technical people. We have 180,000 employees. They all know this is a top effort in the company. And we are going to throw everything we have at this effort.”
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