The launch of Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 in New York on February 3 2023 was spectacular, awe inspiring and pertinent to the unfolding landscape of F1 in America. Not only was the decisive decision to showcase RB19 car in the Big Apple testament to the growing F1 fanbase in America, but also relevant to the turn around strategies Red Bull Powertrains has employed to move forwards into the new era of Formula One turbo-hybrid racing.
Leading the helm, Team Principal Christian Horner along with driver’s Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, and reserve driver Daniel Riccardo set a new benchmark on where Red Bull Powertrains focus will be ahead of F1 change of car engine regulations in 2026. Most certainly, the stance of showcasing the season’s RB19 at a venue outside the UK was unprecedented, so to was announcing new partnership with OEM Ford in the lead up to F1 change to 100% sustainable fuels in 3 years time.
Specifically, Horner confirmed that America holds untapped potential for RBR to expand their interests within the growing F1 fanbase in the USA through strategically aligned partnership with the historical F1 manufacturer, Ford. Such a move highlights the pro-active stance of RBP to gain tighter control over their development and production of power units, which has been aligned with Honda from 2018 through to 2025.
Stating, the ‘Red Bull Ford’ coupling will be purely technical and commercial – Horner: ‘It’s a very straightforward agreement where we will have the ability to share and have access to R&D, particularly on the EV side and self-technology, software development and so on. And then on the commercial side with Ford being so prevalent in the US, as a commercial partner it enables us to help achieve even more penetration in that market.” Courtesy F1.
The partnering with Ford is nothing short of smart maneuvering amid changing Motorsport landscape outside the borders of Europe. Take 2023 season for example, 3 F1 GP’s will race in America: F1 Miami GP on May 5-7, F1 COTA GP on October 2-22, and F1 Las Vegas GP on November 16-18. Add in F1 GP of Canada in June, F1 GP of Mexico followed by F1 GP of Brazil at end of October and early November, there are total of 6 Grand Prix’s in The America’s out of 23.
No doubt, Red Bull Powertrains and corresponding RBR have identified where weaknesses lie, and where strengths remain – namely winning 6x F1 Driver Championships and 5x F1 Constructors Titles – each having produced required forward momentum to capitalize on prior to new engine regulations in 2026. While steely in resolve to fulfil all responsibilities with Honda up to end of 2025, Horner and Team cast net wide enough to capture necessary resources to make up gap which exists between winning in new generation ground effect cars, to new era of turbo-hybrid cars in 3 years time.
All of which speaks of a noticeable shift in dynamics within F1/Motorsport geographical and strategic landscape. If F1 calendar gives glimpse on what’s to come – albeit 13 F1 GP’s in 2023 season take place outside Europe – Christian Horner’s RBR Team have actioned the homologation of their own power unit engine with Ford, who have confirmed record in Formula One history.
Ford’s performance in F1 does not conceal any flawed principle of operation or production of car engine- quite the opposite. Standing 3rd in F1’s history of most successful engine manufacturer’s, winning F1 Constructor Title 10x, winning F1 Driver Championship 13x, along with winning 174 GP’s within the years 1967 – 1994, Red Bull Powertrains – Ford partnership will add further dimension to the ever evolving nature of Formula racing now, and in the future.
Header photo: Oracle Red Bull Racing launch of 2023 RB19 at New York, February 3. Image: F1.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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