The center of Red Bull Racing’s F1 power unit following 2026 will be Red Bull, not Ford. Red Bull had been in talks with existing partners Honda and Porsche regarding the possibility of F1 engine cooperation for the next rules era, but ultimately the Energy Drink-owned team decided to team up with Ford. decided.
Asked if Porsche and Ford were talking at the same time, Helmut Marko told Speed Week: “No, Ford’s negotiations came later.” “Both sides have stepped up to each other,” added Red Bull F1’s motorsport adviser. “The negotiations were conducted privately by President Bill Ford and CEO Jim Farley and team boss Christian Horner, who I supported,” said Red Bull, who founded the new Red Bull Powertrains. The reasons for choosing to partner with Ford rather than with Honda or Porsche are becoming clearer. “Even if the team is called Red Bull Ford or Ford Red Bull, the engines will be supplied by Red Bull Powertrains,” explains Helmut Marko. “Ford will be in battery technology.” Red Bull Racing is currently dominating F1, but there have been big changes behind the scenes, especially since the death of founder Dietrich Mateschitz. When asked what his relationship with the parent company’s new CEO, Oliver Mintzlaff, is like, Marco said he met him “regarding twice.” “It remains to be seen how he will respond to our ideas. Red Bull Racing has always been very independent,” said the 79-year-old Austrian. However, former driver Helmut Marko has admitted that he will miss Mateschitz. “There are no more phone calls to report following each session or race. There is no longer a direct, personal, friendly relationship,” said Helmut Marko. “Didi was visionary. I can’t see it anymore.” “I’m a free man,” Marco said. “If you’re not happy anymore, you can always quit. Let’s see what the future holds.”
