Italian media Ansa have been left red in the face, after accidently leaking confirmation that Red Bull will announce a new partnership with Ford at the launch of their 2023 challenger, today in New York.
Red Bull are set to reveal the RB19 to the world at 2pm UK time in the Big Apple, where it is also set to be confirmed that they’ll be partnering with American manufacturer Ford in 2026.
Interestingly, the Austrians are set to make the announcement despite still having three years left with Honda, something which will not please the Japanese manufacturer, presumably.
Ansa accidently posted the news before quickly removing it from their site, according to the BBC.
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It had been expected that Red Bull were going to announce a partnership with Ford, with the American automaker set to part-fund the Austrians engine which is, of course, being developed by the Milton Keynes-based team themselves.
Ford’s imminent partnership with Red Bull is somewhat comical in one aspect, given that Ford sold the Jaguar F1 Team to Red Bull for the 2005 season.
News of a potential announcement began to circulate after F1 business reporter Vincenzo Landino from The Qualifier, tweeted that Ford were sending “content creators and influencers” to New York for the same date.
“Red Bull’s livery launch date is 3 February in New York City,” Landino tweeted.
“I have word from some of my contacts that Ford is sending some content creators and influencers to NYC on the same date. Coincidence?”
Ford quickly silenced any suggestions that they were set to partner Red Bull in F1, though, by refusing to “comment on speculation”.
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“We don’t comment on speculation, but it’s the same with all these series that are out there,” Ford Performance boss Mark Rushbrook told Motorsport.com.
“It’s our responsibility to study them and understand them, and then make decisions on whether it makes sense or doesn’t make sense.”
With Ford set to be announced then for 2026, it means that the Americans will join Audi as the two newest manufacturers at the pinnacle of motorsport for the new engine regulations, with Cadillac (General Motors) expected to become the third as part of their collaboration with Andretti.