06 February 2023 , 18:49
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Red Bull will make the most of their new partnership with the Ford Motor Company when it comes to the construction of their Formula 1 engines, Christian Horner said.
The deal was announced last Friday – as Mirror Sport revealed – at the team's 2023 season launch event in New York. The sponsorship of the team's Powertrains division will officially begin from 2026, when new power unit regulations come into force.
That will also be the first engine entirely created by Red Bull Powertrains. Asked by Mirror Sport how much input Ford will have on that new power unit, Horner said it would be smart to use the carmaker's expertise.
"We've recruited an incredibly talented group of engineers, designers and technicians within Red Bull Powertrains," he said. "Of course, we're not arrogant enough to think we know everything.
"Ford, the size of company that it is and the research and development it's making, particularly in the EV sector, of course there's knowledge and know-how we will be able to hopefully draw upon. I think that's one of the exciting things, strategically, about this partnership.
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"It was a very swift conclusion in terms of the like-minded approach Ford had and where we were. They didn't want to interfere in our business, but to be there to complement and support. You could see there was a desire on both sides."
Red Bull chief Horner with Ford CEO Jim Farley (Seth Wenig/AP/REX/Shutterstock)With construction of that 2026 power unit already in full swing, it seems apparent Ford will be consulted before their partnership officially begins. Asked about how that fits in with their current obligations to Honda, Horner made it clear the projects are separate and there will be no danger of any cross-overs.
He added: "We have a contract with Honda to the end of 2025, and we're working very closely with Honda over the next three seasons with the current engine regulations – they're being prepared and serviced in Japan. But there's a clear wall between the current engine and 2026, so there's no danger of any IP transferring in either direction.
"We've had such a great relationship with Honda and we'll be sad to see them depart at the end of 2025. But we started Red Bull Powertrains on the basis that Honda was withdrawing from F1 to take control of our own destiny, and that's exactly what it enabled us to do."