F1 News: Ford's Motorsport Boss Denies To Reject Red Bull Rumours

Mark Rushbrook has not shot the Red Bull rumours down.

Ford has been wrapped up in rumours recently as potentially joining Red Bull for the 2026 season. The American company's motorsport boss, Mark Rushbrook, has fed into these speculations. 

The Austrian team is set to reveal the RB19 during an event on Friday 3 February where they are rumoured to be joined by their partner for 2026. Red Bull have expressed an interest in building their own engine from 2026 but are looking for a technical partner. 

Rushbrook has said that it is hard to not be interested in F1 with the significant rise in popularity in America since the release of Netflix's Drive to Survive. He explained, as quoted by Express in Cologne:

"Formula 1 is strong and growing, both in the United States and worldwide.

“They have great races, a great competition and they have managed to reach new target groups with things like Drive to Survive.”

As well as Drive to Survive, F1 has also introduced the Miami and Las Vegas Grand Prix meaning there will be three races in the US in the upcoming 2023 season. 

Rushbrook went on to say he would not comment on the Red Bull rumours directly, but also did not shoot them down. He continued:

“We do not comment on speculation, but this is the case with all series that exist.

“It is our responsibility to study and understand them, and then decide whether it makes sense or not.”

Ford sold its F1 team to Red Bull in 2004 but are clearly not ruling out a return in some capacity. 

The upcoming 2023 F1 season is kicking off with the Bahrain Grand Prix on 3-5 March. February is busy in the run up to the season with the teams revealing the 2023 liveries and the pre-season testing from 23-25 February.