Ford CEO Jim Farley Says Verstappen Is Critical To F1 Program

Max Verstappen is the undisputed face of Red Bull Racing (RBR), and though there was some speculation that he’d cut ties with the team before its partnership with Ford in 2026, he recently announced that he’s staying on board at least through next season. That’s a good thing, according to Ford CEO Jim Farley, who says The Blue Oval’s F1 endeavors depend heavily on Verstappen’s involvement.

As per a report from Sky Sports, Farley is confident that Verstappen’s expertise behind the wheel will prove invaluable to RBR’s journey in 2026 and beyond. As a reminder, all competitors must adhere to brand new power unit regulations next year, potentially leveling the playing field as manufacturers find their footing with the new guidelines. Farley, for his part, says that Verstappen is critical to RBR and Ford’s success.

“I think this is one of the most important pillars of foundation for the PU (power unit) success,” Farley said. “Talking to Max, we at Ford really have grown our respect for Max watching him this year. The way he has provided stability without drama in an environment where we’re all just trying to do our jobs. I can really see that in his eyes today versus last year.”

Laurent Mekies – who replaced Christian Horner after his abrupt departure from RBR – agreed, saying he’s thoroughly impressed with Verstappen’s commitment to making the RBR deal work.

“Max is doing a lot more than just asking for the numbers. You would be surprised. Max is giving so much to the projects also outside of the car. He’s not just asking the numbers,” he said. “He’s testing the car in the simulators, he’s working with engineers on both sides of the fence to understand how do we develop these 2026 cars – where do we try to get the power? Where do we try to get the downforce? So that’s how central to the project he is.”