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New RB19: Fans can design the livery for the three US races
Photo:
ED JONES/AFP
World champion Red Bull was the first top team in New York to present its new Formula 1 racing car and at the same time its future engine partner – this one comes from the USA.
After the failed deal with the Volkswagen subsidiary Porsche, the team around the two-time champion and defending champion Max Verstappen is working with Ford from 2026. The contract is valid until at least the end of 2030, as announced on Friday.
The US automaker will therefore contribute its know-how in the areas of battery cell and electric motor technology.
The software for controlling the power unit and for analytics is also provided.
The cooperation also affects the small Red Bull sister team AlphaTauri.
Joint work on the engine for 2026 will begin this year.
Red Bull is currently developing the drives for the coming season, which begins on March 5 in Bahrain, in cooperation with Honda at the Powertrains plant in Milton Keynes. Red Bull has also already started work on the 2026 drive.
The contract with Honda ends in 2025.
Ford was last involved in Formula 1 in 2004 as the engine manufacturer for the Jordan team around German drivers Nick Heidfeld and Timo Glock.
The US manufacturer, with whom Michael Schumacher in the Benetton clinched his first two world titles of a total of seven triumphs in 1994 and 1995, is the third most successful engine builder in Formula 1 with 176 Grand Prix victories behind Ferrari (243) and Mercedes-Benz. Benz (212).
Boom in the US market
The Ford return was made possible above all by the reform, which will take effect in three years.
The future hybrid engines will be operated with 100% sustainable fuel.
The combustion engine in the unit should only contribute 50 percent of the power, the rest is electric.
The new regulations, which are geared towards sustainability, have also made Audi's entry possible in three years' time.
For Ford, there is also the increased presence on the American home market.
Formula 1 is currently experiencing a boom, especially in the USA.
The racing series takes this into account: In the coming season there are three US races (Miami, Austin, Las Vegas) on the calendar.
The American racing great Michael Andretti is also pushing into the starting field with General Motors (Cadillac).
In Logan Sargeant (Williams), a US driver again has a regular cockpit.
Red Bull has two titles to defend.
In the previous season, Verstappen cleared the drivers' and constructors' classifications.
“We're very optimistic.
Of course we want to defend the title," said Verstappen, who was pleased with the familiar design: "It's a cool car.
We had a lot of success with the livery, why should we change anything?”
Red Bull is the first top Formula 1 team to show off its new livery.
Ferrari will follow on February 14, followed by Mercedes a day later.
From February 23rd to 25th, the RB19 will be used in the test drives.
The new season starts on March 5th.
With 23 races, it is the longest in Formula 1 history to date.
ngo/dpa/sid