According to Ford motorsports boss Mark Rushbrook, the company isn’t back in Formula 1 just because of the four-time world champion
Mark Rushbrook, Ford’s motorsports boss, explicitly emphasizes that the company’s Formula 1 involvement does not depend on individuals like Max Verstappen. Currently, the company is collaborating with Red Bull Powertrains on the engines for the Milton Keynes-based team.
“We would regret seeing him go, but that wouldn’t change our commitment to [Formula 1],” he said in an interview with our sister site Motorsport.com.
Aside from the discussions surrounding Verstappen, Red Bull has recently struggled with the performance of the RB22. Nevertheless, Rushbrook affirms the team’s strength:
“I think Red Bull has often shown throughout its history what the team is capable of,” explains the motorsport boss. “Take last year as an example. Everyone had already written the team off in the championship, and look how close we were to the title in the end. That showed once again what we’re capable of.”
“[Right now] it’s exactly the same. Many say that Red Bull is lagging behind. Of course, that’s what we’ve seen on the track so far, but it doesn’t discourage us. In fact, it motivates us all, because Red Bull and Ford want to be at the front.”
While Max Verstappen’s future remains up in the air, Gianpiero Lambiase’s departure is already a done deal. Yet even the steady departure of well-known figures like Lambiase, Newey, or Wheatley doesn’t seem to faze Rushbrook.
Red Bull as the Right Partner for Ford
“[Red Bull] has the right people, the right culture,” explains the motorsports boss. “Of course, personnel changes create a lot of buzz in the media, but that’s just part of the sport. Obviously, we didn’t necessarily want people to leave, but that’s how it goes sometimes.”
“Of course, you always worry a little when people leave. Why are they leaving the team? What does that mean for the team?”
“So it’s not that it isn’t important, but you can react to things like that just like you do to everything else in racing—or in life, for that matter. When things happen, it comes down to how you react and staying strong.“
Red Bull Ford without Verstappen?
On the topic of Max Verstappen and the current regulations, Rushbrook explains: ”I completely understand the drivers’ and Max’s perspective. The drivers are in the car and have to deal with the technology and its impact on racing.“
”But we’ve seen that the sport is willing to discuss such issues internally and respond accordingly. As long as the sport is willing to do exactly that and work together to find solutions, everyone will be happy again and stay with the sport.”
“No one wants Max or any other driver to leave Formula 1, because they are part of the sport’s identity. We want to see them happy, committed, and enjoying the racing. That generates even more enthusiasm among the fans.”
Nevertheless, Rushbrook emphasizes: “We came into Formula 1 to be part of Formula 1. And we chose Red Bull because of the team culture, not because of any single person.“
”And again, we love Max; we love that he’s driving a Ford-powered Red Bull. We’d be sorry to see him go, but that wouldn’t change our commitment to [Formula 1].”
Perhaps the endurance racing fan can be enticed with other projects. One possibility would be a run in the Ford Hypercar at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Meanwhile, Lambiase will remain part of the Red Bull family until the end of 2027.