Red Bull and Ford's engine project gains attention

The new engine developed by Red Bull Powertrains in partnership with Ford has drawn interest from several Formula 1 teams, thanks to the strong performance of the Red Bull and Racing Bulls teams this season. After a more successful first season than expected under the new technical regulations, Red Bull could become a sought-after engine supplier.

Red Bull's challenge with the 2026 regulations

The arrival of the 2026 engine regulation posed a significant challenge for Red Bull, which opted to develop its own power unit in partnership with Ford. Despite the novelty of the project, the performance this season has captured the attention of several competitors. Laurent Mekies, director of Red Bull Racing, acknowledged that the results have increased interest in Red Bull's engine program.

No immediate plans to supply other teams

Mekies emphasized that the interest in Red Bull's engine does not currently lead to concrete negotiations. He stated that Red Bull is not having serious discussions about supplying engines to other teams, as the company is not yet ready for such an expansion. Red Bull Powertrains currently provides power units only to the two teams in its group, Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls.

Focus on improving the engine's performance

For Mekies, the priority is to strengthen the technical aspects of the project before considering commercial expansion. He noted that there is still a lot of work to improve the power unit, optimize its integration into the car, and reach the level of the best competitors. He believes that opening up to other teams would be premature, with nothing expected to change in the coming year.

Speculation about Red Bull-Ford and Aston Martin

Some speculation suggests a potential partnership between Red Bull-Ford and Aston Martin. The British team is having a difficult first season with Honda, which became its exclusive engine partner in 2026. The team's struggles have raised questions about the future of the collaboration, especially if performance does not improve. However, Aston Martin does not appear to be considering a change of engine supplier.

Aston Martin defends its partnership with Honda

Engineer Mike Krack reaffirmed the team's confidence in Honda, stating that the Japanese manufacturer is a long-term partner. Adrian Newey, the team's leader, also defended Honda's potential during the United States Grand Prix. Despite a disappointing 2026 season, Newey believes Honda has the resources and skills to improve. These positions suggest that Aston Martin is not considering a change of engine supplier in the near future.

Red Bull remains cautious about expansion

Red Bull remains cautious about expanding its engine program. Although the partnership with Ford has exceeded expectations in its first year, Mekies believes the project still needs to progress before it can fully compete with the top teams. The immediate focus is on continuing the development of the power unit and improving its integration into existing cars, rather than attracting new customers.