Red Bull is reportedly close to signing a deal with Ford ahead of the launch of its 2023 car on Friday.
Christian Horner’s team, which won driver and constructor success last season when Max Verstappen won his second world title, is looking for an automotive partner who had discussions with Porsche last summer.
Although negotiations with the German giant have failed, several automakers are in the market to join Formula 1 in the coming years given the growing popularity of the sport.
Ford Motor Company, which was last involved in F1 in 2004 alongside Jaguar, is one such interested party and The Mirror reports that a deal is set to be struck with Red Bull – and could be announced as soon as friday.
Red Bull launched its 2023 car, the RB19, on February 3 in New York – where Ford is said to have sent social media influencers ahead of a confirmation of the deal.
The report adds that it is unclear at this stage whether Ford would enter as an engine partner, similar to Audi’s already confirmed partnership with Sauber, with the German manufacturer to join when new engine regulations come in. in force in 2026.
Red Bull has set up its own powertrain department at its Milton Keynes base and will continue to work with Japanese manufacturer Honda on its engines this year.
Mark Rushbrook, Ford’s performance chief, insists any entry into the F1 market “needs consideration”.
” height=”3191″ width=”4786″ layout=”responsive” class=”inline-gallery-btn i-amphtml-layout-responsive i-amphtml-layout-size-defined” on=”tap:inline-image-gallery,inline-image-carousel.goToSlide(index=0)” tabindex=”0″ role=”button” data-gallery-length=”2″ i-amphtml-layout=”responsive”>
Red Bull reportedly close to signing deal with Ford
(Getty Images)
“Formula 1 is certainly strong and growing, both in the United States and around the world,” he told Motorsport.com last week.
“What they’ve done well is create great racing and great competition. That’s still the pinnacle, but they’ve been able to reach new audiences with things like Drive to Survive.
“As a company, we race for innovation, technology transfer, learning opportunity, but also for marketing reasons. It sure is out of place, and it certainly requires a thought.
Ford’s eagerness to enter the world of Formula 1 could be a response to rival General Motors forming a partnership with Andretti, under their Cadillac brand.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has opened an “expression of interest” process for new teams to join the grid, although a new team is unlikely to join before 2026.