Formula One: Ford set to partner Red Bull in F1 from 2026, say reports
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Britain’s BBC reported Ford will part-fund an engine being designed and made by Red Bull Powertrains in England.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON - American carmaker Ford will announce an engine partnership with Formula One world champions Red Bull from 2026 at the team’s launch in New York on Friday, according to media reports in Europe.
Italian media disclosed details on Thursday after an apparent embargo breach.
Britain’s BBC reported Ford will part-fund an engine being designed and made by Red Bull Powertrains at their Milton Keynes headquarters in England.
Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri are also expected to use engines with Ford branding.
“We don’t comment on speculation,” said a Ford spokesman at company headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.
Formula One will have a new power unit from 2026 using 100 per cent sustainable fuels and a greater electrical component.
Red Bull are currently using V6 turbo hybrid engines made by former partner Honda in Japan and last year called off talks with Porsche.
The team, who have US software giant as their title sponsor, will be showing off their car’s new livery in Manhattan with Dutch double world champion Max Verstappen and Mexican Sergio Perez.
There has been mounting speculation about a deal with Ford, who have a great record as an engine provider and whose Cosworth DFV V8 engine dominated in the 1960s and 1970s.
Ford sold their Jaguar branded team to Red Bull in 2004 and the current champions are still based at the same factory in central England.
The blue oval last appeared in Formula One with Jordan in 2004.
The expected announcement comes after rival General Motors and their Cadillac brand teamed up with Andretti Autosport who are seeking to enter Formula One as an 11th team.
Formula One’s governing body on Thursday formally started a process that could lead to new teams entering the championship from 2025.
French racing driver and engineer Jean-Pierre Jabouille, who in 1979 gave Renault their first Formula One victory, has died at the age of 80.
The Renault-owned Alpine team mourned his passing on Thursday and paid tribute to the two-times race winner as a pioneer whose victory at Dijon-Prenois was also the first in Formula One for a car with a turbocharged engine.
“He spearheaded Renault’s journey into F1 in 1977 with his resilient and dare to do attitude,” the team said.
“His determination and dedication to succeed inspired many...we are where we are today because of Jean-Pierre and his legacy lives on.”
Jabouille made 49 starts in Formula One – debuting at his home grand prix at Le Castellet with Tyrrell in 1975 before competing for Renault from 1977-80. REUTERS
