Last year, Ford dropped the news that it would be making its long-awaited return to Formula 1, forming a new partnership with Red Bull Racing (RBR) to make it happen. Ford Performance head Mark Rushbrook reached out to team principal Christian Horner himself to propose the join-up once he found out another potential deal fell through, making Horner a key player in the Ford F1 project. But he’s been cut loose from RBR effective immediately, and The Blue Oval, for its part, seems unruffled by the divorce.
Former Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner
According to a report from Motorsport, the Ford F1 program is proceeding as originally planned despite Horner’s immediate departure. In short, the decision to cut Horner loose hasn’t turned The Blue Oval off the partnership.
“Ford would like to thank Christian Horner for his partnership and dedication to the Red Bull Ford Powertrains program,” the automaker told Motorsport. “We remain focused on our joint development of the 2026 Red Bull Ford engine and our broader relationship with Red Bull. We remain very much looking forward to our return to the Formula 1 grid in 2026.”
It’s not clear what led to RBR’s decision to part ways with Horner, but it seems like things have been brewing under the surface for quite some time. Horner was the subject of an investigation late last year concerning misconduct on the part of the RBR team principal. Ford stayed clued into the case, prompting Rushbrook to make a statement.
Driver Max Verstappen
“As a family company, and a company that holds itself to very high standards of behavior and integrity, we do expect the same from our partners,” Rushbrook said at the time.
There could be even more high-profile personnel changes coming down the line, too. Max Verstappen, RBR’s star driver, could break from the team. Even if he does, Ford is staying right where it’s at. The Blue Oval has repeatedly stated that it’s committed to the tech and the venture, not specific team members.
Comments
Wish it was you guys making your own team. Other guys are MUCH more suited for energy drink teams god awful personality. And thats not going to change until Jos is gone. They may not have had a choice…but they fired the wrong turd. Excited to see Ford on the grid anyway. Even if its for the energy drink team.
Do you offer gift wrapping?