Ford Reveals How Much Red Bull Needs Max Verstappen for 2026 Fight

Red Bull will collaborate with Ford to develop their own power units for the first time in the history of Formula 1. The team ran with Honda engines from 2019 up until the 2025 season. However, Milton Keynes now believed they were prepared to take on the challenge of being an engine manufacturer in Formula 1 as well. However, Ford humbly accepted that they really needed Max Verstappen for the ultimate success of the engine in the coming season.

Max Verstappen has showcased that he possesses the ability to put forth dominant performance, defying all odds. If Red Bull’s power unit with Ford does not perform well, Verstappen’s brilliance will still help set great stepping stones to success for the engine development. As such, Ford’s CEO Jim Farley opened up on the Dutchman’s factor crucial for the power unit’s success in the 2026 season onwards.

Jim Farley pointed out that Max Verstappen was a very special talent. This applied to him not only behind the wheel, but also as an overall leader of a team in Formula 1. Farley accepted that Milton Keynes and Ford will certainly need Verstappen’s experience, now more than ever. The 63-year-old pointed out that not many people were aware of how difficult it was to succeed as an engine supplier at the pinnacle of motorsport.

Though Ford found success in Formula 1 as an engine supplier and stood third-most winning engine with Ford Cosworth DFV, it was nowhere near enough to succeed in the modern era in the sport. For now, Jim Farley is confident that the PU development has been monumental. Still, he accepted that Ford was nowhere near the standards set by Ferrari and Mercedes in terms of power unit development.

Max is a very special talent, not only behind the wheel, but as a leader in the team, and we’re going to need that this year, I don’t think anyone truly understands what a mountain it takes to climb. Yes, we’ve been in Formula 1 before as the third most winning powertrain company [with the Ford Cosworth DFV], but that doesn’t help us at all. For 2026, this is monumental PU development. We are not like Mercedes or Ferrari in doing this for a long time, but Red Bull, and we are very humbled by this.

Jim Farley told Sky Sports F1.

Jim Farley reveals ‘very hard’ factor in PU development with Red Bull

Not many power unit developers have found success in Formula 1 like Ferrari and Mercedes. Moreover, with the German carmaker reportedly being at the forefront of engine development in 2026, it will likely dominate the playing field. Though Ford has great experience running in the sport, the newer regulations are completely different and very difficult compared to the previous regulations.

Hence, Jim Farley accepted that there was still a mountain to climb in terms of nailing the power unit development. Moreover, he noted that this challenge will test the limits of Ford like no other project in the history of the company. Farley highlighted that everyone must understand how difficult and humbling the entire process was. Still, the American giant took on the challenge as it was very hard and a true testament to their willpower.

There is a mountain to climb, and it is going to test our company like almost no other project in our company. I want to make sure everyone understands that we are incredibly humbled and excited, and that’s why we took it on, because it is so hard.

Jim Farley noted.

The 2026 season testing is right around the corner. Max Verstappen already anticipates that the teams will spend more time in the garage than out on the tracks in the initial sessions. However, Red Bull will certainly bounce back from the difficulties, if any. For now, the team, alongside Ford, is very optimistic about their chances to succeed and will leave no stone unturned to emerge victorious in the end.

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