Red Bull and Ford have just announced a strategic partnership that will see the iconic American car manufacturer return to Formula 1 after a 16 year absence. This exciting news is sure to have the racing world abuzz with anticipation and speculation about what this new collaboration will mean for the sport.
The partnership between Red Bull and Ford has been in the works for some time, with the two parties originally in talks to collaborate for the 2026 engine regulations. However, it soon became apparent that the two companies had different visions for the partnership and the deal eventually fell through. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was quick to point out that the team’s independence was a key factor in their decision making. He said: “Red Bull has always been an independent team. It’s been one of our strengths; it’s been the backbone of what we’ve achieved and our ability to move quickly. It’s part of the DNA of who we are.”
It appears that Ford is the perfect partner for Red Bull as the two companies share a mutual interest in the sport’s growing popularity in the US. F1 has made a big push into the American market with the addition of the Las Vegas Grand Prix this year, and Ford will no doubt be keen to capitalize on this opportunity. Additionally, the sport’s commitment to becoming net-zero carbon by 2030 aligns with Ford’s own sustainability goals, making this partnership a win-win for both parties.
Ford’s involvement in the partnership is expected to be more hands-off than Porsche’s original proposal, which would have seen them take a 50% stake in Red Bull Advanced Technologies and back the Powertrains division for 10 years. Instead, Ford is thought to be investing in the power unit programme only, with the famous blue oval appearing on the engine cover of future RB creations.
This partnership is a perfect fit for both Red Bull and Ford, with the two companies having a shared history that dates back to 1995 when they first collaborated at Sauber. It is clear that the two companies have a mutual respect for each other and this new partnership has the potential to bring a lot of success to both parties. It will be exciting to see what the future holds for Red Bull and Ford as they embark on this new journey together.
Source: www.motorsport.com