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Red Bull Racing and Ford Gear Up for 2026 F1 Season
In just 46 weeks, Red Bull Racing will unveil its new car featuring the Ford logo, marking a significant collaboration with the American automotive giant. This partnership will lead to a jointly developed power unit set to debut in the 2026 Formula 1 season. With extensive modifications dictated by updated FIA regulations, the upcoming vehicle essentially represents a fresh creation. Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, expressed optimism regarding their preparations during a recent Ford event in Charlotte, North Carolina, held after the iconic Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Horner conveyed his satisfaction with the collaboration, stating, “The collaboration has been fantastic. One of our concerns when we embarked on this project was the depth of knowledge gap when compared to established teams like Ferrari and Mercedes. This partnership with Ford has naturally bridged that divide, fostering enthusiasm and collaboration across our departments. We feel well-equipped to compete with our rivals.”
While acknowledging their strengths, Horner highlighted the learning curve ahead: “We possess the required skills and capabilities; however, we’re lacking experience in this new area. Ford’s experience will be invaluable, but we recognize that we have significant challenges ahead. With the right people and necessary resources, including strong support from ExxonMobil as our fuel partner, we are in a good position to tackle these challenges.”
Innovative Technology and Regulations
One major challenge for Red Bull and Ford, as articulated by Horner, revolves around the power unit specifications outlined in F1’s 2026 regulations, particularly the mandatory use of 100% synthetic fuels from sustainable sources. Developing a fuel that is both energy-dense and environmentally responsible is crucial, as it will enhance the power output of the internal combustion engine while potentially reducing the vehicle’s weight by necessitating less fuel for races.
Horner stated that fuel will emerge as a “key performance differentiator” for the new power unit, which is expected to consume roughly 30% less fuel than current models. The regulations also introduce new methods for fuel flow measurement, shifting from traditional mass or volume metrics to a maximum energy flow rate.
On the electric side, advancements are also significant. The FIA’s regulations require an increase in the share of horsepower derived from electricity. The MGU-K (motor generator unit – kinetic) will see its output jump from 160 horsepower to 475 horsepower, leading to a near 50/50 power distribution between electric and combustion engines, contrasting with the existing setup where combustion engines supply about 80% of power.
An essential element in developing the new power unit is the utilization of Oracle AI. “It’s a tool that is becoming increasingly relevant in Formula 1,” Horner remarked. “Oracle’s contributions are particularly exciting for us.”
Leaning into advanced technology, Red Bull Powertrains is harnessing the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure for simulations involving over 6,000 components of the new power unit. This capability allows the team to virtually test engine assembly and interactions, thereby reducing the need for premature physical prototypes. In light of the new fuel regulations, they are extensively applying computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to analyze fuel dynamics and enhance internal engine designs.
The undertaking is considerable, as Red Bull Powertrains constructs its operation from the ground up. However, the collaboration with Ford is advantageous, granting access to the expertise of an established OEM renowned for its prowess in internal combustion engines and electrification technologies.
Reflecting on this exciting transition, Horner stated, “Our partnerships represent the best in the sport. We are proud to reintroduce the Ford badge to our car starting in 2026. This marks a new era—and a formidable challenge that we’ve undertaken in our 21-year tenure in Formula 1.”
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