The energy drink giant, Red Bull, has stated that the designs for both of its Formula 1 teams’ 2026 cars will be shown to the world at the beginning of the season on January 15th in Detroit, Michigan, which is the base for their new engine partner, Ford.
The year that is coming will signify the conclusion of the triumphant collaboration between Red Bull and Honda and the start of a completely fresh age, as the Red Bull Ford powertrains will be placed in the soon-to-be-released RB22, alongside the next Racing Bulls vehicle.
The F1’s major technological upgrade for 2026 incorporates completely new power units which have almost a 50:50 proportion between combustion and electric power, which is the reason for the timing of Red Bull’s shift to a new engine arrangement.
“The beginning of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains age signifies not just a bold step into what is coming, but a very powerful display of what could be when engineering of the highest caliber, creativity, and passion combine,” stated Laurent Mekies, the CEO of Red Bull.
“To see the drive, accuracy, and magnitude that is backing this project is motivating. It’s the high point of a long time of collaboration between two great names in motorsport. We are incredibly eager to begin this new part, propelled by an equivalent determination and excellence that defines both Ford and Red Bull.”
Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Mark Thompson – Getty Images
Peter Bayer of Racing Bulls added, “We are incredibly happy to have Ford rejoining the realm of Formula 1. Ford encapsulates the equivalent competitive spirit that fuels our squad with more than 125 years of legacy, creativity, and absolute dedication to performance. This partnership gathers global brands that are brought together by a passion for racing and a dedication to pushing boundaries.”
The new partnership is aiming, according to Ford, to not just find success on the race track, but additionally to improve the company’s road vehicles.
Jim Farley, the president of Ford Motor Company, stated, “Ever since we revealed our comeback to F1 along with Red Bull, the Ford squad has been working around the clock to get ready for 2026.”
“However, this is much more than just racing. It concerns how we use what we learn from F1 to improve the quality of our cars and trucks for our customers. What we will learn along with Red Bull will determine the technologies of the future and that is what excites me most about this relationship.”
The initial pre-season trial for the 2026 F1 season will occur between January 26 and 30, however, completely new rules on the chassis side indicate that teams are competing against time and won’t automatically have the option of launching their appropriate challengers – rather than solely designs – as early as January 15.
