Despite Red Bull team principal Christian Horner recently admitted that the side have some catching up to do ahead of 2026, Ford CEO Jim Farley believes the Austrians are actually “on track”.
Ford are partnering Red Bull from 2026 onwards as a technical partner, with the American manufacturer to supply the Milton Keynes-based side with technical assistance when the new power unit regulations are introduced.
In their push to become even more independent, Red Bull are producing their own engines for the new 2026 regulations and will power themselves and their sister team.
It’s an incredibly challenging project that the reigning Constructors Champions’ have embarked on, with Max Verstappen believing that the team with the “strongest engine” in 2026 will likely dominate.
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“It looks like it’s going to be an ICE competition, like whoever has the strongest engine will have a big benefit,” Verstappen explained, as reported by The Express.
This immediately puts Red Bull at a disadvantage, considering they’re up against the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari who have vast experience in developing F1 engines.
Red Bull are having to work around the clock as a result to ensure that they can be competitive when the new regulations are introduced.
According to Farley, things are actually going very well, with him being “really happy with the progress”.
“I had a chance to spend a lot of time with the team in Milton Keynes and with Adrian Newey, and I think we’re on track,” Farley said.
“2026, even though it sounds like a long way away, we have a lot of work to do on the powertrain, but I’m really happy with the progress. I wish I could tell you more, but I would say we’re on track.”
Farley is certainly upbeat about Red Bull’s 2026 chances and has no doubt that the side will continue to feature at “the very top of the podium” when the new rules are introduced.
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This is because their power unit is looking “top-notch” in Farley’s eyes.
“We have got the best frickin’ team that’s involved. I mean, we’ve got the best drivers, we’ve got the best technical support,” Farley added.
“We have the best of Ford around the globe to support them. But the team, the powertrain team that they’re building in Milton Keynes, is like absolutely, top-notch. We’re going first class to the very top of the podium.”