Ford CEO Jim Farley has embraced the pressure that will come from collaborating with Red Bull Racing in its new Red Bull Powertrains venture.
The Milton Keynes outfit will part ways with Honda at the end of the current Formula 1 season to introduce its own powertrains in 2026, in partnership with Ford.
During an interview with Sky Sports F1, Farley insisted that he and the team knew what they were coming up against as Ford returns to the championship.
“Well, I think we fully understand not only what we’re up against to support Laurent [Mekies] and the team, but we also understand the history of our company and our contribution to Formula 1. And I certainly understand that personally.
“So, yes. And I think it won’t be just the first race. It’ll be many years to come. The pressure we’ll feel every day, every week, as we work together closely. We know that’s coming.”
Red Bull team chief Laurent Mekies also spoke about the collaboration between the two companies, which is strengthening every day.
“Every single day that passes, we are working more and more together. The brainstorming becomes more intense. We try to find new areas in which we can develop together, in which we can push each other,” Mekies said.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
“So, it’s exactly what we need given the size of the challenge. And I’m sure, as Jim said, it’s not only what’s separating us from now to the first day of testing. It’s after that we will continue to grow together, we will continue to push each other, and I’m sure the collaborations will become stronger and stronger.”
Ford previously partnered with Cosworth to develop the DFV engine, which saw considerable success from 1967 to 1983, winning 155 grands prix. Ford-Cosworth also accumulated 13 drivers’ championships and 10 constructors’ championships.
When asked if it was too big an ask to win in the first year of the new partnership, Farley explained, “Well, it isn’t our first rodeo. We’ve been in Formula 1 for a while, and I think that’s good. As Laurent said, we’re very humbled as a company. We’re a humble company anyways, but these are the best technical people in the world in motorsports.
“And all I can say is we put our best effort in so far. And I just want to emphasize what he said, which is it’s not just what we do in that first couple races. It’s going to be how fast we react to what we learn about the chassis, about everything. And we understand that at Ford. We have our best technical people. We have 180,000 employees. They all know this is a top effort in the company. And we are going to throw everything we have at this effort.”
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