2026 Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team

[Chuckjr]

I am still curiois how people can put RBPT not as the favourite.

They made dozens of very painful hires from mercedes, essentially getting their top developers, they have all the Honda IP ánd built a brand new facility,meaning they got new, top of the line stuff.

The only weak point might be Ford.

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.

[Valeo]

I think Mekies and the team played that engine saga game very well so far if we can believe the latest rumours.
No one knows for sure if they have the same or similar compression trick and it could have a huge outcome whether they join one side or the other.
Better watch out Toto!

[venkyhere]

I think Mekies and the team played that engine saga game very well so far if we can believe the latest rumours.
No one knows for sure if they have the same or similar compression trick and it could have a huge outcome whether they join one side or the other.
Better watch out Toto!

It will make for a great movie script (pray for this, Netflix), if the 'big auto' corporate automobile giant is made to worry by the plucky 'energy drinks company subsidiary' underdog. That would be like the Audi v Lancia film that we saw on GrandTour.

[f1isgood]

I think Mekies and the team played that engine saga game very well so far if we can believe the latest rumours.
No one knows for sure if they have the same or similar compression trick and it could have a huge outcome whether they join one side or the other.
Better watch out Toto!

Agreed. Newer reports say that Red Bull has "potentially" agreed to go against Mercedes. It's unclear what their stance really is, and thats as good as it can get.

[FNTC]

Almost too bad Horner isn't there still, imagine him going at Toto in the media over the compression saga, lol. Mekies is far too friendly for it.

[SB15]

Horner would've made sure the FIA & FOM got that engine banned.

[f1isgood]

Horner would've made sure the FIA & FOM got that engine banned.

It would have been a lot more interesting to say the least.

[lio007]

A little bit more boring but way less toxicity in the fan community, which I personally prefer.

[organic]

Horner would've made sure the FIA & FOM got that engine banned.

Because he did so well preventing Merc from dominating 2020 with das and getting flexiwings banned when they were exploited in 2024

[f1isgood]

Horner would've made sure the FIA & FOM got that engine banned.

Because he did so well preventing Merc from dominating 2020 with das and getting flexiwings banned when they were exploited in 2024

He didnt have his legal adviser work for FIA unfortunately but at least he tried clearly and that led to a lot of entertainment.

[langedweil]

Horner would've made sure the FIA & FOM got that engine banned.

"Go and fix your fukcing car !

[Henk_v]

I am still curiois how people can put RBPT not as the favourite.

They made dozens of very painful hires from mercedes, essentially getting their top developers, they have all the Honda IP ánd built a brand new facility,meaning they got new, top of the line stuff.

The only weak point might be Ford.

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.

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.

[Rikhart]

Came upon this great video, always nice to remember this man's greatness. This is what "generational talent" really means.

[Wouter]

I am still curiois how people can put RBPT not as the favourite.

They made dozens of very painful hires from mercedes, essentially getting their top developers, they have all the Honda IP ánd built a brand new facility,meaning they got new, top of the line stuff.

The only weak point might be Ford.

.
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.

.
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.

.
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

[AR3-GP]

Honda developed their battery cells in-house. There is no substitute for such an application specific usage.