Ford Vows to Stay Put if Max Verstappen Departs Red Bull

Ford remains committed to Formula 1 and its strong relationship with Red Bull, even as questions swirl about Max Verstappen’s future with the team after 2025. Work on the 2026 power units is moving forward at Red Bull Powertrains and Ford, with Mark Rushbrook, who leads Ford Performance, confident most of their internal targets are being met.

The next season is shaping up to be unpredictable, with Mercedes showing early belief in their own plans, according to both Rushbrook and Red Bull’s Christian Horner.

Speculation about Verstappen’s next move is intensifying, despite his contract with Red Bull running through the end of 2028. The four-time F1 world champion is frequently linked to Mercedes, after their team boss Toto Wolff confirmed ongoing conversations until last summer.

There have also been rumors about a potential switch to Aston Martin, as Adrian Newey is scheduled to design their 2026 car and Honda is joining as engine supplier there. Verstappen’s impact as both a driver and team leader is well recognized, but Ford’s involvement is not tied to the presence of any single individual.

Rushbrook has addressed this directly, explaining that Ford signed onto the Red Bull partnership as a long-term investment, not a deal reliant on one star. He noted personnel changes are normal, referencing how both Newey and Sergio Perez have made moves even before Ford’s on-track involvement started. For more on the dynamics of F1 driver contracts, the FIA’s official regulations provide detailed insights.

The team’s clear preference is for Verstappen to remain, describing him as an outstanding driver who lifts the performance of the whole team. Still, the company’s dedication holds firm if Verstappen chooses to leave, emphasizing that Ford is not making decisions based on the fate of one person.

When asked about concerns over the possibility of losing Verstappen, Rushbrook dismissed any sense of anxiety. He explained that the goal is always to keep the team competitive and winning, with all staff playing a vital role.

The approach is focused on building a strong group, as actions aimed at retaining elite drivers align with the broader mission to win races. This acknowledgment underscores Verstappen’s crucial role in Red Bull’s ongoing success, yet highlights a belief in the wider structure and talent at both Red Bull and Ford.

The current form of the Red Bull team has evolved since the start of the last season, when they dominated Formula 1. The landscape has shifted, but Rushbrook expressed ongoing trust in the team’s personnel, pointing out that the natural ups and downs in motorsports present challenges for all major teams. For a deeper dive into F1 team strategies, MIT’s Sloan Sports Analytics Conference often features cutting-edge research.

Ford’s policy is to work with leading contenders, confident that Red Bull remains capable of consistent victories even with new variables introduced for 2026. One such major change is the technical overhaul coming in 2026, which Red Bull faces without Adrian Newey for the first time.

Still, a recent visit to Milton Keynes left Rushbrook impressed by the expertise on display. The company is standing by the technical leaders like Pierre Wache and other key figures working on the new car and engine package. For those interested in the engineering behind F1 power units, SAE International’s technical papers offer authoritative resources.

Looking toward the next era, Ford’s faith remains with the people and processes in place at Red Bull Powertrains, confirming their enduring commitment to the pursuit of race wins and championship glory no matter who is in the cockpit.