Ford warns Red Bull: “Verstappen is one of the pillars of the project”
Jim Farley, CEO of Ford Motor Company, is clear that the success of the joint project with Red Bull depends on keeping Max Verstappen on the team. The power unit created by both brands will debut in F1 in 2026.
The rumors about Max Verstappen leaving Red Bull Racing have ceased for the moment, but it is more than likely that they will resurface next year, especially if the team's performance is not as satisfactory as the Dutchman would like.
And, in fact, this is quite probable, as the Anglo-Austrian team will debut its own power unit in collaboration with Ford. And it is not expected to be on par with Mercedes, Ferrari, and Honda, at least in the first season. In fact, the director of Red Bull Racing, Laurent Mekies, anticipates that it will be complicated at first.
“He wants a fast car next year, and he is doing everything he can both inside and outside the car to help us give it to him”
“It’s a huge task. We are respectful enough of the competition to say: “If these guys have been doing it for 50, 60, or 70 years, starting from scratch, getting all our people, doing all the processes right, all the infrastructure, is going to take some time”, argues the Frenchman.
In any case, Mekies is fully confident in the process and is convinced that it will eventually exceed expectations. “We do it the Red Bull-Ford way. That’s why we do it at the highest level in all areas. It’s not about who will be the best team in the Barcelona tests in January, but about who will do the project well and who will develop it”
Jim Farley points to Verstappen
Max Verstappen is guaranteed to stay at Red Bull at least until 2026. However, although his current contract covers two more seasons, there are options for the four-time champion to leave prematurely if the performance is not adequate.
Jim Farley, CEO of Ford Motor Company, is fully aware and has not missed the opportunity to send a message to Red Bull: retaining Verstappen is crucial for the success of the project.
“He is one of the most important pillars or foundations for the success of the PU (power unit),” assures the American executive. “At Ford, our respect for Max has really increased seeing him this year. The way he has provided stability —without drama— in an environment where we all try to do our job. I can see that in his eyes compared to last year”
Furthermore, Farley points out that the recent appointment of Laurent Mekies as team director is a great success, especially regarding the development of the car. “I think one of the great things about Laurent [Mekies] and his team is that they all have this deep commitment to each other”, he added.
“I came because I firmly believe in understanding things with my eyes and ears and I can clearly see the impact Laurent had. He is a technical person, which is perfect for this change in 2026. He is the right leader. We fully support him and I can feel it in the team,” he expanded after his visit to the team in Monza.
Verstappen, fully committed
For his part, Laurent Mekies has praised Max Verstappen's commitment to the development of the 2026 car. The Frenchman points out that the Dutchman “not only asks about the numbers, tests the car in the simulators, is working with engineers on both sides to understand how we develop these cars for 2026. Where we try to get the power, where we try to achieve the aerodynamic load”
“He is so central to the project. Certainly, he wants a fast car next year, and he is doing everything he can both inside and outside the car to help us give it to him,” he concludes.
Fuente: Sky Sports
