Ford admitted that despite Adrian Newey leaving Red Bull before the 2026 season, the brand’s commitment to work on the new power units remains the same.
The American manufacturer will partner with Red Bull starting in 2026. Ford will collaborate with the Milton Keynes outfit to build the new generation of engines that will debut in that year.
Of course, Ford Performance Motorsports director Mark Rushbrook stated that the whole team has great respect and admiration for Newey, but his exit won’t change Ford’s plans.
“We have huge respect for Adrian in terms of his career and all the things that he has done for many different teams in F1, especially the last 19 years at Red Bull,” Rushbrook told Motorsport.com.
“Nothing but admiration and respect for him and we wish him the best for whatever he will do in the future.
“Our focus though fully remains on the power unit program for 2026. That’s unchanged after this news, and that is still going ahead full throttle.”
Rushbrook said that he had talks with Christian Horner regarding Red Bull’s future from 2026 onwards. He knows that every team needs a succession plan, and Red Bull has one as well. Therefore, despite the Milton Keynes outfit losing a key element, that doesn’t mean that the work toward success cannot continue.
“Continuity was in the very first discussions that I had with [team principal] Christian Horner,” Rushbrook said.
“So, my question to him was: ‘How is Red Bull going to continue to be successful in 2026 with all-new regulations?’
“Like any good company or any good racing team, you always have a succession plan, and you are always training and developing people within the organization.
“That is no different in this case. I am not being disrespectful to Adrian at all because he is fantastic, but every team has a succession plan.”
Rushbrook concluded by saying that Red Bull is the best squad to partner with at the moment and having such a strong partnership will help both parties reach success.
“To do anything great in motorsport, we as Ford find the best teams to partner with. We believe that we have found the best team in Formula 1,” he added.
“It is all about cooperation, understanding the situation, and being committed to doing what it takes to be successful. That is continuing with both parties.”