Sacked F1 team boss warns Ford over potential trouble with Red Bull Powertrains
Former Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer advised Ford from his own learnings in F1 ahead of Red Bull Powertrains' 2026 debut.
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Christian Horner and Helmut Marko (via IMAGO), Ford logo (via Ford)
American auto giant Ford will re-enter Formula 1 in 2026 as part of Red Bull Powertrains. Ford will provide expertise on the electric side of the power units. However, former Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer has asserted that it might not be smooth sailing for this partnership.
Red Bull had to scramble for a new engine manufacturer after Honda’s exit post 2021. Milton Keynes decided to develop the power units in-house and then roped in Ford as a joint partner. Team boss Christian Horner has hailed the project as one of the biggest commitments made by the energy drinks giant.
Otmar Szafnauer used to work for Ford in the 1990s before entering F1 with British American Racing. He recalled using key learnings from the American manufacturer to lead BAR. Though, Szafnauer pointed out that there were some elements which simply didn’t work in the sport. As such, the former F1 team boss made it clear that if Ford mixes such elements at Red Bull, it could stir trouble soon.
When I left Ford to go to British American Racing [in 1998], is I quickly learned the things that worked at Ford that would also work in F1 I needed to apply. But there are other things that would work well at Ford that wouldn’t work well in F1… If you mix those two, you can get yourself in trouble.
Otmar Szafanuer told PlanetF1
Red Bull getting a ‘competent’ partner for 2026
Red Bull Racing had a successful union with Honda, even after the Japanese carmaker’s ‘exit’ from the sport. As the Austrian team continued using the same power units under RBPT. Now, Otmar Szafnauer has insisted that Max Verstappen‘s squad is getting the right partner for the job, with Ford being a highly capable and competent manufacturer.
Red Bull is getting a very competent and capable partner.
Otmar Szafnauer added
Certainly, Red Bull Ford Powertrains will be one of the most highly anticipated projects of 2026. The Austrian giant’s future virtually relies on its success. Otherwise, even Max Verstappen might consider his options for the future.
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Armaan Agarwal
(2386 Articles Published)