$53 Billion Giants Ford Burst High Roller Red Bull’s Bubble as Psychological Battles Begin: “Definitely Not Bottomless”

Red Bull Racing is at the top of the Formula 1 world, especially after the 2022 season. However, even before the wheels turn in 2023, the team made another winning move. The Milton Keynes-based outfit announced its partnership with Ford Motors from the 2026 season onwards. The American auto manufacturers will join hands with Red Bull Powertrains to make the team a Formula 1 powerhouse. However, Ford is joining Red Bull only as a commercial partner rather than as a power unit manufacturer. And recently, Ford’s Global Director made an interesting announcement regarding the partnership recently.

The start of the partnership between Red Bull and Ford is still three years in the making. Although, that partnership will not see Ford empty out their pockets to support the F1 project. The Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports revealed this in an interview with Crash.net.

Ford is no stranger to Formula 1 and has won multiple championships in the sport’s history. This could be the reason the American company, with a market cap of $53 billion, will not completely open its deep pockets for Red Bull. Mark Rushbrook, the global director, revealed exactly that when quizzed if Ford’s involvement will be in the form of a “bottomless pit”.

“Definitely not bottomless, I can attest to that. We do go racing in a responsible way, I believe, in all the different series that we go. We don’t have an unlimited budget, as much as racing sometimes wants you to go that way. We go in strategically with the right partners to win races, but also with a responsible budget,” he said.

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Although the American automaker is dedicated to the project, even if they aren’t willing to empty out their pockets.

Ford shuts the door to prototype racing and shifts its focus to F1 with Red Bull

The automakers were touted to enter prototype racing, especially after the company’s interest in the electrification of racing. However, putting all their attention on the upcoming F1 project, CEO Jim Farley shut the door on prototype racing.

“No, I don’t think we’re much into [racing] Prototypes at Ford,” said Farley in an interview with Motor Trend. “IMSA and WEC prototypes would add an element of electrification but we’re very satisfied with the electrification, both [on the] technical and marketing [sides], we will have in WRC with the Puma hybrid and now in F1.”

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Ford has backtracked on their prototype racing promise. However, that is good news for Red Bull as the auto manufacturers are putting a higher emphasis on their F1 project.