Formula 1 News: Ford committed to Red Bull if Verstappen leaves

Ford will not leave the Oracle Red Bull team if Max Verstappen opts to quit the floundering Milton Keynes-based squad.

Verstappen has a contract in place until the end of 2028, but the Dutchman has been linked with an early exit because the Red Bull car has been inferior since last year.

“Wherever we race – in every championship – we want to do it with the best team, with the best drivers and with the best people,” Ford’s head of motorsports Mark Rushbrook (pictured) told motorsport.com.

Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, Mark Rushbrook of Ford and Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing talk in the garage prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 07, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

“But did we sign the deal because of one person in particular? No, because this is a long-term deal and we know that things can change in terms of people.

“We knew that with Christian Horner, we knew that with Adrian Newey and we knew that with the drivers. And some of that has changed before we even race on the track.”

“Do we want Max to stay with Red Bull and Ford in 2026 and beyond? Of course we do,” Rushbrook added. “He’s a champion and he’s taken the whole team to the next level.

“But are we going to walk away if Max leaves the team? No. We’re committed.”