Ford: Red Bull’s F1 engine programme ‘on target’ ahead of first on-track test

After a stint with Honda that delivered four drivers’ titles and two constructors’ championships, Red Bull will compete with its in-house power unit in 2026, in partnership with Ford.

Although Ford Performance director Mark Rushbrook acknowledges that the project – as Toto Wolff put it in Zandvoort – “has Mount Everest to climb”, he believes the preparations in Milton Keynes have been as optimal as possible.

Exclusive: Ford gives update on 2026 Red Bull F1 engine

“Some level of nervousness” ahead of Barcelona test

“We are to plan, so where we need to be, but it all comes together when it's actually in the car and on track,” Rushbrook told Motorsport.com in an exclusive interview.

“So that first day of testing is an important date, and an important week. It’s when we get to see how all this hard work in the past three years is going to pay off.”

The first major test will be the start of winter testing in Barcelona, which takes place behind closed doors, for both fans and media. Asked whether Ford feels any nerves ahead of that test, Rushbrook continued:

“There's always some level of nervousness or anticipation anytime there's a new car or engine on track. Our computer tools are great for designing; our labs are great for evaluating and developing the hardware, and the calibration that goes with it, so we can simulate a lot in those environments. But until you get it all together on an actual racetrack, you haven't seen everything. And it's a question of what are you going to see on track that you didn't see in the lab.”

Rushbrook previously explained that the development of the 2026 engine has been carried out step by step: first trying to extract a bit more power, then bringing reliability to the desired level, and once that was achieved, trying to extract a bit more power again.

Moreover, he emphasised that power and reliability are far from the only aspects. Lately, focus behind the scenes has shifted to another element as well: drivability – the feeling the driver gets from the new power unit and how user-friendly it is.

Red Bull Ford Powertrains

“It's the power, the performance, the reliability, and then it's the drivability, in terms of the software and the calibration,” he explained. “When it comes to the timelines that were developed early-on in the programme, we've been hitting those.

“The work right now is the details of that calibration and the drivability, some of which can be done in the computer, some can be done in the lab and some in the simulator together with the drivers. That's where the focus is on now.”

Has Red Bull-Ford set the bar high enough?

When it comes to the ICE – with a lot of attention lately on an alleged loophole with the compression ratio – the key question for every manufacturer is whether the bar for internal targets has been set high enough.

Rushbrook said Red Bull's internal goals have been met, but nobody knows where Ferrari, Honda or Mercedes have set their own benchmarks. With that in mind, the obvious question is how Red Bull and Ford have defined their targets.

“Based upon the rules that everybody needs to live within you can estimate what is theoretically possible. And that is what you set your ultimate target on,” Rushbrook explained.

“I think everyone would probably estimate the same with their engineers because it's the same laws of physics that are being used by everybody. I think everyone's going to come up with that as the ultimate idea of what is theoretically possible. But after that, it's a matter of how efficient do you actually get there in terms of delivery.”

Mark Rushbrook, Head of Motorsport Ford Performance

Red Bull chief engineer Paul Monaghan admitted in Las Vegas that it would be logical if Red Bull were to have a small deficit with the ICE compared to established manufacturers, since the combustion engine has not been completely reinvented compared to previous regulations.

“But it would only be slight, I think,” Rushbrook responded. “Because yes, existing engine manufacturers have all those years of experience, but it’s still a bit different again with these rules for 2026. And we've got a lot of experienced people that came in from other programs to find it together.

“So even if we're a little bit behind with the combustion engine, we don't think it's going to be by much, and we'll make up for it in everything else.”

No repeat of 2014 in F1?

Regarding the ICE, the FIA has introduced a safety net, the so-called ADUO system, which stands for Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities. After three periods of six races each (1–6, 7–12, 13–18), the governing body will assess the overall power balance.

Manufacturers that are between 2% and 4% down on the best ICE in terms of pure power will be allowed one additional upgrade. Manufacturers that are more than 4% behind receive two upgrade opportunities.

It’s intended to prevent a repeat of 2014 – when Mercedes’ dominance was locked in for years – and according to Rushbrook is a good thing for the sport.

2026 FIA F1 car render

“I think where we are now, is good because it is appropriate for the sport, right? We want everybody to have a chance to be competitive. So, by adding in those changes in the regulations to allow people to catch up, I think it's the right thing for the sport.”

The FIA does not want to hear comparisons from fans who label ADUO as a form of Balance of Performance, and Rushbrook agrees with that view.

“No, this is definitely not Balance of Performance. We race that in many series, and a BoP is appropriate for some of those given what they are. In sports car racing, with different silhouettes and different architectures of the cars, it's appropriate. But here, it is a technical-based series to deliver based on the technical regulations.”

The key question, of course, is how Red Bull-Ford will deliver based on those regulations. Question marks remain until winter testing and most likely until the season opener in Australia, but Rushbrook is satisfied with the preparations in Milton Keynes.

Yes, Wolff was right with his remark about how the outfit has Mount Everest to climb, but for now, the Blue Oval is cautiously optimistic for its F1 return.

“What Toto said is true, right? It’s true in the sense that this is new a start-up,” Rushbrook said. “But as I said earlier, it's a combination of people coming in from different programs. We think we're in a good place, but we will only see the full picture once we're on track.”

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