OPERATIONS

Ford Returns to F1 with Oracle Red Bull Racing – Ford performance

within the regulations.”

A new power unit Before the 2026 season, the team sourced its power unit externally. Around five years ago, the decision was made to start work on its own powertrain“ from scratch”, explains Mark Foden, Head of Quality Control at Red Bull Ford Powertrains.

“ We ' ve hired close to 1,000 people to work specifically on the power unit through Red Bull Ford Powertrains.

“ I can ' t overstate the power density we ' re targeting in these 2026 power units. It is the absolute pinnacle of engineering and we push performance to its physical limits. So far, things are going well but that is only achievable when every component is manufactured to exact specification.

“ You can design the best engine concept in the world, but if you can ' t manufacture it to tolerance and if it isn ' t reliable, you cannot win. Full stop.” Robin Wolstenholme, Analyst and Media Relations in Hexagon’ s Portable Metrology Division, says:“ The Oracle Red Bull Racing mantra of‘ quality at speed’ isn’ t about speeding up quality inspection – that’ s the technology enabler – the lesson is about learning fast and having absolute confidence

82 July 2026