Red Bull and Ford Develop the Combustion Engine for 2026
The technical alliance between Red Bull Powertrains and Ford Motor Company is advancing to create the combustion unit that the team will use starting from the 2026 Formula 1 season. This project arises under regulations that transform the category, promoting 100% sustainable fuels and a greater weight of electrical energy. The block is already spinning on the test benches, an essential step to confirm its reliability before mounting it on the single-seater. 🏎️
A Methodical and Safe Approach
Ben Hodgkinson, director of Red Bull Powertrains, details a rigorous process. His team advances with caution, checking each subsystem before proceeding. This strategy is supported by solid confidence in the chosen engine concept. The current goal is to accumulate the maximum virtual kilometers on the bench to detect and solve potential faults, without the direct pressure of the track.
Pillars of Current Development:- Validate each engine component on the test bench.
- Accumulate virtual kilometers to identify problems.
- Maintain a sequential and methodical process, away from the spotlight.
We prefer the engine to speak for itself on the track, when the time comes.
The New Regulations Pose a Technical Challenge
The 2026 regulations establish very specific conditions. The internal combustion engine will operate exclusively with sustainable fuel and its power will be lower compared to the electrical energy unit (MGU-K). This change requires redesigning the architecture and global energy management. The balance between creating a powerful, efficient, and reliable unit under these new parameters is extremely complex.
Keys to the 2026 Regulations:- 100% sustainable fuel for the combustion engine.
- Greater prominence and power from the electrical part of the hybrid powertrain.
- Need to rethink energy management and reliability.
The Path to Debut
While other teams may opt to announce milestones with more fanfare, Red Bull's philosophy is clear: track performance will be the ultimate proof. The work focuses on solving the complex integration and reliability challenges imposed by the new era, ensuring the engine is ready to compete at the highest level from its first grand prix. 🔧