VIDEO: Ford's New Formula 1 Engine Finally Makes Sounds!

Racing Bulls completed its first on-track running with the VCARB03, giving us the first sounds from Ford's new Formula 1 powertrain, whose return to Formula 1 comes via a technical partnership with Red Bull Ford Powertrains.

Beginning this season, both the Red Bull and Racing Bulls cars will be powered by the newly developed Red Bull–Ford hybrid power unit, marking the first time Ford branding has appeared on an F1 engine cover since its Jaguar-era involvement ended in the mid-2000s and the automaker sold off Cosworth.

The team carried out shakedown running at Imola this week—where the weather was quite wet and cold—as preparations began for Formula 1’s sweeping 2026 regulation reset. Factory drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad shared driving duties. The dynamic outing followed the public unveiling of the team’s 2026 livery in Detroit last week alongside the senior Red Bull squad.

The new power unit architecture shifts the balance of propulsion to an almost even split between internal combustion and electric energy, a major change from the outgoing formula. Electrical output has increased dramatically, with the Energy Recovery System now capable of delivering around 350 kW and harvesting up to 8.5 megajoules per lap. The complex MGU-H has been eliminated, while all teams will run fully sustainable fuel.

Chassis dimensions have also been tightened. Cars are shorter and narrower, with reduced minimum weight targets aimed at improving efficiency and agility.

Active aerodynamics on both the front and rear wings replace the old DRS system. Drivers can now manually deploy a temporary electric power boost when running within a second of the car ahead, a change intended to promote overtaking without relying on drag reduction alone.

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