Exclusive: Red Bull partnership strengthens key Ford pillar

Ford Performance Motorsports Global Director Mark Rushbrook has underlined the cohesion between the company's vision and F1's as the sport moves into a more environmentally friendly era.

The American motoring giant has entered into a powertrains partnership with Red Bull ahead of the new power unit regulations set for introduction in 2026.

As part of the new regulations, a greater focus has been placed on electrification whilst sustainable fuels are in development in order to cut carbon emissions across the grid - all with an eye to reaching carbon neutrality by 2030.

"That's important for us because we have a commitment to sustainability," said Rushbrook, speaking exclusively to RacingNews365.com.

"It is very important for us, one of our pillars. Certainly, electrification is a part of that but in many regions of the world, we are going to have ICE for quite some time.

"We know that a responsible fuel, renewable fuel is going to be used in certain markets. So we are already seeing a shift in fuels and a lot of motorsports series that we've already been in.

"We've done some on our own - we used a low-carbon fuel to race a Ford Ranger Raptor at Baja last year.

"It was the right thing for us to learn about that technology and to tell a story about it and there is a lot more we can do here with a strong push in Formula 1.

"It is fantastic, the commitment of the series, of F1 and the FIA, to the sustainable fuel starting in 2026 and increased electrification and then for the series to be net-zero carbon by 2030. That is very aligned with what we want to do."

Learn and contribute

Red Bull has opted to go its own way with power units after Honda officially left the sport at the end of 2021, though the Japanese manufacturer has remained in a technical partnership with the Milton Keynes-based outfit whilst it builds up its infrastructure.

But the partnership with Ford will allow the team to lean on the company's extensive knowledge on the electric side of the business.

Despite this, Rushbrook has confirmed Ford is open to extending advice across the board - as well as taking on teachings.

"Our initial focus has been on electrification and is still very strong on electrification," he explained.

"But the reality is, there is also a lot there that needs to be developed on the ICE side and a lot that we can contribute and a lot that we can learn.

"So while we entered with a focus on electrification, we have said since the beginning and every day that nothing's off the table. Anything that can help this partnership from inside Ford Motor Company is available, and anything that we can learn that is appropriate to share back, we will.

"Even things like additive manufacturing, we have hot some good resources there that can help out as well."