2026 Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team

[gearboxtrouble]

A small private shop just can't tap the sort of supplier networks an established OEM like Ford is able to provide access to. This has helped RBPT logistically and with keeping component costs under control. Ford has also provided RBPT a massive leap in additive manufacturing and metal 3d printing that they wouldn't have been able to progress to such an extent as they have without the sort of R&D an OEM has sunk into it. Finally, Ford has a lot of experience with hybrid integration on the software side even if they're not making all the components. RBPT could probably do all of this themselves but they'd be years behind and spent massively more money to get where the partnership with Ford has got them in 2026.

[Henk_v]

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Fwiw, and hopefully this eases your concern, Henk, but as far as I know, Ford really does not have a huge roll in this, and furthermore, there's no flys on Ford. They are an astute asset, and imo, will only help the RB cause. Honda may have some solid state or some kind of advanced battery tech that may be advantageous. Ford and Honda have plenty of experience in high level F1, so they have that going for them...which is nice. I do think RB will be fine, and will provide what is needed for Max to be at the sharp end provided they have also advantaged the whole compression theory--if it exists. I'm still undecided about that whole thing. Hoffman has made some good counter points to it, so we will see I guess. But yeah, I think RB will be fine.

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Ford was introduced as a naming-partner and would "support" on the electric side. I do not overestimate their role.

Ford has not been well known for their electrification, to put it mildly.

All talk about the contributions of Ford sound like marketing bullshit. Their contribution is in their wallet.

Any historical ford F1 association was non-hybrid by companies Ford aquired.

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Ford is working for Red Bull on the electric part of the PU.

Ford has the in-house expertise to develop the electrical components itself.
What Ford can do does.
Electric motors & drivetrains

Ford has its own engineers, test centers, and production lines for:
- Electric motor design (stator/rotor, windings, cooling)
- Power electronics (inverters)
- Complete e-drive units (motor + reduction gear + electronics)

This takes place in, among others:

- Van Dyke Electric Powertrain Center (US)
- Irapuato (Mexico)
- Halewood (UK)

These are not assembly plants, but full-fledged development and production sites.

Ford can independently design, test, and produce an electric motor and drivetrain.

Battery systems (but not always the cells)

Ford has in-depth knowledge of:

- Battery architecture
- Thermal management
- BMS software
- Pack design and safety

What they usually don't do in-house:

- Battery cell chemistry (which is an extremely specialized field)
Almost no automakers do this themselves—even Tesla sources many cells externally.

Ford fully understands the technology, but sources cells because:

- It's cheaper
- Scale is crucial
- Suppliers have a 20+ year head start in this area

Ford is killing it in EV's right?

Let your LLM make a list of Ford's that can drain their battery in under 30 seconds, charge it in the next minute and achieve an impressive efficiency whilst doing it. For 1000 cycles. Oh and needs to be below 15kg's. With inverter.

I can design an electric motor too. Done it, not that hard. I'll call Mekies to see if I can help.

[Wouter]

Max is driving the RB22 the whole Wednesday in Bahrein. Hadjar the whole Thursday.

[gearboxtrouble]

I wonder why they don't split the running all 3 days. It seems a better way to maximize the mileage. With one driver fatigue sets in and you're just not able to do as many laps as with split running around the lunch break.

[Wouter]

Docuseries 'Max Verstappen - New Ground' premieres exclusively on Viaplay

Viaplay is available in The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway.

Published on 10 February 2026 by Niels Hendrix

Today, the new three-part documentary series ‘Max Verstappen - New Ground’ premieres on Viaplay. The series follows the four-time Formula 1 world champion as he sets up his own racing team. The Dutchman also goes all out to transform sim racer Chris Lulham into a professional racing driver.

Max Verstappen said: “Viaplay and I have worked together for many years to show what racing is really about - not just the results, but the work, the dedication and the passion behind it. ‘New Ground’ is about exploring new motorsport grounds and learning and gaining experience along the way. It’s about the challenge and the love of racing, and I’m glad to share that journey with Viaplay's viewers.”

10 February: Max Verstappen - New Ground: Let's go out and have fun (Viaplay)
17 February: Max Verstappen - New Ground: We all --- on the same toilet (Viaplay)
24 February: Max Verstappen - New Ground: We have to overtake some people (Viaplay)

[lio007]

Laurent Mekies not in Bahrain this week.

[lio007]

Very interesting episode:

[pantherxxx]

Very interesting episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Az-lu5UqSs

In this video, the most significant advantage mentioned is the physical proximity of the chassis and engine teams. Pip Clode, who is the Head of Mechanical Design, said that it is only a 5 minute walk from his desk to the chassis designers.

This actually confirms that the integration has allowed for a kind of radical packaging that the rivals, who may be spread out in different countries or factories, cannot easily copy. Even in the case of Mercedes, the chassic and engine guys in Brixworth and Brackley are 45 minutes away by car.

Chris Finister (Head of Systemsm Design) stated that despite the size of the 2026 cars, they have more electronics and wiring than ever before. Being able to walk up the road and "bug" the engine team to move an engine component allows them to get a level of "tightness" in the sidepods and bodywork that is aerodynamically efficient, and others can't easily replicate.

[Emag]

Very interesting episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Az-lu5UqSs

In this video, the most significant advantage mentioned is the physical proximity of the chassis and engine teams. Pip Clode, who is the Head of Mechanical Design, said that it is only a 5 minute walk from his desk to the chassis designers.

This actually confirms that the integration has allowed for a kind of radical packaging that the rivals, who may be spread out in different countries or factories, cannot easily copy. Even in the case of Mercedes, the chassic and engine guys in Brixworth and Brackley are 45 minutes away by car.

Chris Finister (Head of Systemsm Design) stated that despite the size of the 2026 cars, they have more electronics and wiring than ever before. Being able to walk up the road and "bug" the engine team to move an engine component allows them to get a level of "tightness" in the sidepods and bodywork that is aerodynamically efficient, and others can't easily replicate.

Stop posting AI slop in this thread, please.

It might not be AI but it’s hilarious nontheless. Next he will suggest the air is better over at Milton Keynes so that creates an advantage others wont be able to easily replicate

[pantherxxx]

Very interesting episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Az-lu5UqSs

In this video, the most significant advantage mentioned is the physical proximity of the chassis and engine teams. Pip Clode, who is the Head of Mechanical Design, said that it is only a 5 minute walk from his desk to the chassis designers.

This actually confirms that the integration has allowed for a kind of radical packaging that the rivals, who may be spread out in different countries or factories, cannot easily copy. Even in the case of Mercedes, the chassic and engine guys in Brixworth and Brackley are 45 minutes away by car.

Chris Finister (Head of Systemsm Design) stated that despite the size of the 2026 cars, they have more electronics and wiring than ever before. Being able to walk up the road and "bug" the engine team to move an engine component allows them to get a level of "tightness" in the sidepods and bodywork that is aerodynamically efficient, and others can't easily replicate.

Stop posting AI slop in this thread, please.

Did you watch the video? And stop lying, it's not ai, that's not my problem if you are paranoid.

[pantherxxx]

In this video, the most significant advantage mentioned is the physical proximity of the chassis and engine teams. Pip Clode, who is the Head of Mechanical Design, said that it is only a 5 minute walk from his desk to the chassis designers.

This actually confirms that the integration has allowed for a kind of radical packaging that the rivals, who may be spread out in different countries or factories, cannot easily copy. Even in the case of Mercedes, the chassic and engine guys in Brixworth and Brackley are 45 minutes away by car.

Chris Finister (Head of Systemsm Design) stated that despite the size of the 2026 cars, they have more electronics and wiring than ever before. Being able to walk up the road and "bug" the engine team to move an engine component allows them to get a level of "tightness" in the sidepods and bodywork that is aerodynamically efficient, and others can't easily replicate.

Stop posting AI slop in this thread, please.

It might not be AI but it’s hilarious nontheless. Next he will suggest the air is better over at Milton Keynes so that creates an advantage others wont be able to easily replicate

I literally highlighted what the engineers said in the video, and Ben Hodgkinson said the same thing btw, that it's a huge advantage. So if someone doesn't have time to watch the whole 1 hour video, these are the important parts. A simple thanks would have been enough.

[AR3-GP]

It doesn’t look like AI…

[f1isgood]

The AI paranoia is getting a bit hilarious. But I don't want to drag it into an LLM disucssion forum.

It is true that Red Bull have something that only Ferrari have enjoyed in recent years. Whether it will pay dividends remains to be seen.

[Emag]

Stop posting AI slop in this thread, please.

It might not be AI but it’s hilarious nontheless. Next he will suggest the air is better over at Milton Keynes so that creates an advantage others wont be able to easily replicate

I literally highlighted what the engineers said in the video, and Ben Hodgkinson said the same thing btw, that it's a huge advantage. So if someone doesn't have time to watch the whole 1 hour video, these are the important parts. A simple thanks would have been enough.

I personally dont think what you commented was AI. There have been some older ones where I am 100% certain AI was used but not for this one.

In any case, what you mentioned can barely pass for an advantage against other works teams. How is that any different to Ferrari which literally has all their operations within the same factory?

[AR3-GP]

Very interesting episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Az-lu5UqSs

43:30 onwards was discussion about the weight of RB22. It sounds like they are overweight.