Behind the scenes, work is already in full swing in any respect engine producers for 2026, with Purple Bull Powertrains and Ford no exception. , though he emphasised that it’s inconceivable to hit all milestones straightaway. Rushbrook additionally acknowledged that the competitors is tough to gauge, though he shares Christian Horner’s view that appears assured.
An equally important variable for subsequent yr, as a lot because the competitors, is the way forward for . Though the Dutchman has a contract with Purple Bull that runs till the top of 2028, his future stays a significant 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 automobile and Honda will be part of as engine provider.
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Verstappen is a crucial figurehead for Purple Bull, and subsequently Ford, however Rushbrook makes it clear that Ford’s dedication to the challenge will not be depending on one particular person.
“In all places we race we wish to have the very best workforce with the very best drivers and the very best individuals. However did we signal the deal for anyone particular person particularly? No, as a result of we all know that it is a long-term deal and that these persons are going to vary. 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 .
“Will we wish to see Max keep within the Purple Bull-Ford for 2026 and past? In fact. He is a champion. He is an important particular person and he elevates your entire workforce with him, however are we going to run away if Max leaves the workforce? No. We’re dedicated.”
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When requested if he fears Verstappen may depart the workforce, Rushbrooks smiles: “You want to make use of the phrase concern, don’t you? Once more, I would not name it a concern, however we wish to take the suitable actions to guarantee that the workforce with Purple Bull Powertrains-Ford continues to win races. As I mentioned, all of the individuals within the programme are an vital 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 wish to win, however do you additionally maintain a pulse on the individuals? In fact, so I suppose the reply is sure [that we’d like to keep him].”
That is naturally as a result of Rushbrook understands how vital Verstappen is for the present competitiveness of the workforce, in each the drivers’ and the constructors’ championship. “He is a champion for a motive. Clearly his expertise, but additionally that he desires each a part of the workforce and the programme to be the very best it may be.”
Is the present Purple Bull type motive for concern?
The larger image is that Rushbrook mentioned final yr that Ford desires to work with the very best groups in all championships it takes half in. At the beginning of final season, Purple Bull was nonetheless the dominant drive in F1, however that is now not the case. Is {that a} regarding prospect for the Blue Oval model?
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“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 all the time that ebb and movement. Do we wish Purple Bull to nonetheless be successful races on the finish of final yr and this yr? In fact, however we all know that the workforce nonetheless has nice people who find themselves able to successful constantly.”
Having mentioned that, the 2026 rules would be the first main technical overhaul in Purple 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 workforce that continues to be in place. “The sensation continues to be the identical. Just a few weeks in the past, we had been in Milton Keynes and met with Pierre Wache and all of the technical individuals. We nonetheless imagine within the individuals, within the workforce that’s there and of their skill to win races.”
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