Ford reveal additional contribution to Max Verstappen's new Red Bull

Red Bull's leap into engine manufacturing has taken an unexpected turn, with Ford's contribution extending far beyond initial expectations.

The Milton Keynes-based team is preparing for arguably its biggest technical challenge yet: developing its first power unit from scratch for this year's new regulations. What began as a targeted partnership has evolved into something more comprehensive.

Initially, the American manufacturer was expected to focus primarily on the electrical components that will become increasingly crucial under the new hybrid regulations.

"The initial list focused on the electrical part of the engine: the battery, inverter, software, calibration, et cetera," Ford performance director Mark Rushbrook told Motorsport.com. "That was on our initial list, and we certainly delivered in that area.

"But what we didn't expect at first, and what wasn't a priority for us at the beginning, was about the internal combustion engine. That has changed as the program has gone along, as our schedule with the road cars has also changed."

'Those parts are made and shipped on a daily basis'

The evolution stems from Ford's revised approach to its road car portfolio. Rather than rushing headlong into an all-electric future, the manufacturer has maintained its commitment to internal combustion technology alongside hybrid and electric powertrains.

"In terms of the plans with our road cars, we are still going ahead with internal combustion engines now, in addition to hybrids and all-electric cars," Rushbrook added. "As a result, it has gradually become more and more important to be involved in the internal combustion engine in Formula 1 as well."

This strategic alignment has created natural synergies between Ford's road car development and the F1 project. The manufacturer now produces components for Red Bull's combustion engine at its Dearborn facility, with daily shipments maintaining the rapid development pace required in Formula 1.

"While we were working on the electric side and seeing what was happening with the internal combustion engine, we also saw opportunities on the internal combustion engine side to contribute," he said.

"From then on, parts for that internal combustion engine were actually made in Dearborn. Those parts are even made and shipped daily."

Rushbrook was keen to dispel any suggestion that Red Bull had identified weaknesses in its own capabilities that required Ford's intervention.

The expanded partnership represents the natural result of two technical organisations working closely together rather than any admission of deficiency from Red Bull's side.

"No, it's not that things were missing," he said. "But when you put technical brains together, you see things, you hear things, and then questions are asked.

"For example, once we were asked, 'What would Ford do in this case?' That was the point at which we were able to say, 'We can best help,' and after that we were actually able to contribute."