Ford “will not run away” if Max Verstappen leaves Pink Bull

Behind the scenes, work is already in full swing in any respect engine producers for 2026, with Pink Bull Powertrains and Ford no exception. Mark Rushbrook, boss of Ford Motorsport and Ford Efficiency, already said that almost all inner targets are being met, though he emphasised that it’s unattainable to hit all milestones straightaway. Rushbrook additionally acknowledged that the competitors is tough to gauge, though he shares Christian Horner’s view that Mercedes appears assured.

An equally vital variable for subsequent yr, as a lot because the competitors, is the way forward for Max Verstappen. Though the Dutchman has a contract with Pink Bull that runs till the tip of 2028, his future stays a serious speaking level. The four-time world champion has been linked to Mercedes on many events – with Toto Wolff admitting in Zandvoort that talks had been held till final yr’s summer season break – and Verstappen has additionally been linked to Aston Martin, the place Adrian Newey is designing the 2026 automotive and Honda will be part of as engine provider.

Verstappen is a crucial figurehead for Pink Bull, and due to this fact Ford, however Rushbrook makes it clear that Ford’s dedication to the venture is just not depending on one particular person.

“All over the place we race we need to have the very best group with the very best drivers and the very best folks. However did we signal the deal for anyone individual specifically? No, as a result of we all know that it is a long-term deal and that these individuals are going to alter. We knew that about Christian Horner, about Adrian Newey, concerning the drivers and a few of them have modified already earlier than we even bought on the racetrack,” Rushbrook refers to Newey and Sergio Perez.

“Will we need to see Max keep within the Pink Bull-Ford for 2026 and past? In fact. He is a champion. He is a fantastic individual and he elevates your complete group with him, however are we going to run away if Max leaves the group? No. We’re dedicated.”

When requested if he fears Verstappen might depart the group, Rushbrooks smiles: “You want to make use of the phrase worry, don’t you? Once more, I would not name it a worry, however we need to take the fitting actions to guarantee that the group with Pink Bull Powertrains-Ford continues to win races. As I mentioned, all of the folks within the programme are an necessary a part of that. So do you are taking actions to maintain a driver like Max in there? You are already taking these actions anyway since you need to win, however do you additionally maintain a pulse on the folks? In fact, so I assume the reply is sure [that we’d like to keep him].”

That is naturally as a result of Rushbrook understands how necessary Verstappen is for the present competitiveness of the group, in each the drivers’ and the constructors’ championship. “He is a champion for a cause. Clearly his expertise, but in addition that he needs each a part of the group and the programme to be the very best it may be.”

Is the present Pink Bull type cause for concern?

The larger image is that Rushbrook mentioned final yr that Ford needs to work with the very best groups in all championships it takes half in. At first of final season, Pink Bull was nonetheless the dominant power in F1, however that is now not the case. Is {that a} regarding prospect for the Blue Oval model?

“We all know that in all types of motorsports, however particularly in Components 1, there are dynasties of groups that simply win, win, and win. However then they undergo spells the place they do not, so there’s at all times that ebb and circulation. Do we wish Pink Bull to nonetheless be profitable races on the finish of final yr and this yr? In fact, however we all know that the group nonetheless has nice people who find themselves able to profitable constantly.”

Having mentioned that, the 2026 laws would be the first main technical overhaul in Pink Bull’s historical past that needs to be taken on with out Adrian Newey. It’s one other unknown, however Rushbrook makes clear that he has full confidence within the technical group that continues to be in place. “The sensation remains to be the identical. A number of weeks in the past, we had been in Milton Keynes and met with Pierre Wache and all of the technical folks. We nonetheless imagine within the folks, within the group that’s there and of their capability to win races.”