Ford says its commitment to Red Bull’s engine program remains unchanged despite the fact that top designer Adrian Newey is leaving the team.
The main topic of discussion last week was Adrian Newey’s departure from Red Bull. After twenty years, the successful designer is closing the door in Milton Keynes and there is no doubt that this is a serious loss for the team.
However, team boss Christian Horner and Max Verstappen are confident that things will work out and they praised those who have worked alongside Newey in recent years and will have to support the team in the future.
The partnership with Ford also remains intact, the American car giant will become an engine supplier to Red Bull from 2026 when the next generation of power sources will be introduced in F1.
Mark Rushbrook, director of Ford Performance Motorsports, said last weekend in Miami that Newey’s departure does not change Ford’s commitment to Red Bull.
“We have huge respect for Adrian in terms of his career and everything he has done for many different teams in F1, especially over the last 19 years at Red Bull,” Rushbrook told ‘Motorsport.com’. “Nothing but admiration and respect for him and we wish him all the best for whatever he does in the future.”
“However, our focus remains fully on the power unit program for 2026. That has not changed after this news and is still going full throttle.”
Rushbrook also emphasizes that Newey’s contract with Red Bull expired in 2025 anyway and that there was therefore never a guarantee that the Brit would still be part of the team in 2026.
“Continuity was in the very first conversations I had with Christian Horner,” Rushbrook explains. “So my question to him was: ‘How does Red Bull remain successful in 2026 with completely new regulations?’”
“Like any good company or racing team, you always have a succession plan and you are always training and developing people within the organization.”
“That is no different in this case. “I don’t want to be disrespectful to Adrian at all because he is fantastic, but every team has a succession plan.”
Even when it comes to the unrest that prevailed at Red Bull at the start of the season, Rushbrook is not concerned.
“To do something great in motorsport, we at Ford need to find the best teams to work with. We believe we have found the best team in Formula 1,” he added. “It’s all about collaboration, understanding the situation and being committed to doing what it takes to be successful. That continues with both parties.”