Red Bull Ford Team Up for 2026 F1 Engine Role

Red Bull, supported by Ford, readies to supply F1 engines by 2026, with potential surpassing past partnerships, says Monaghan.

Red Bull will step into the role of an engine supplier in Formula 1 by 2026, with Ford’s support. The team is gearing up for this complex task, which Engineering Director Paul Monaghan believes offers greater potential than purchasing power units from other manufacturers.

“Considering that it involves both a team and an engine supplier, introducing a set of different regulations only adds to the complexity,” Monaghan stated. “The work I’ve seen between the Red Bull chassis and the Red Bull engine is as good, if not better, than what I’ve witnessed with any of our previous engine partners.”

According to the engineer, it is even feasible for Red Bull to outperform the current work being done with Honda, the team’s engine supplier since 2019, with whom they have clinched several world titles.

“We are immensely indebted and grateful to Honda for everything they have done with us, but now that we are all under one roof, I believe the opportunity to better integrate with the engine department is one we cannot overlook, neglect, or afford to miss.”

“If we want to be as strong as possible in 2026, we need to make this project work. The challenges are there, but we also have the opportunity to do at least as well, if not better, than we did with Honda.”

Monaghan anticipates challenges will emerge as the development program progresses: “I think we’re all going to take it head-on and it will be… There will be tough days, there will be happy days.”

“This is our engine for 2026 and I think we can make it work. I believe the members of the power unit task force are truly committed; they are intelligent people who work hard, so the ball is in our court.”

However, he questions the hierarchy of next year, uncertain of how the development for 2026 might disrupt the 2025 season: “I don’t know how people will handle the transition year to 2026. We can start working on the 2026 car in the wind tunnel and with CFD from January 1st.”

“I think this will impact the actual quality of the 2025 car, but people might decide to dedicate more time to the 2026 car. Others, possibly one of our closest rivals, might think ‘We can really beat Red Bull in 2025’, and they might put more effort into it.”

“I think this will make 2025 somewhat more unpredictable. How tough will it be? That’s what I can’t tell you, as how fast is our car compared to others? If we are behind others, we will need to make an effort.”