Red Bull Ford Powertrains engine faces upgrade ban after FIA ruling

Red Bull Racing currently runs a power unit built on Honda technology but badged as Red Bull Powertrains. Under a new partnership, the team will develop a Ford‑backed engine for the 2026 season. The FIA’s Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) assessment, disclosed during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, named the Red Bull‑Ford power unit the strongest internal‑combustion engine on the grid. However, the ruling bars Red Bull from making any engine upgrades, while Mercedes and other manufacturers are permitted to develop theirs.

In parallel, Honda announced it will return to Formula 1 as the exclusive works power‑unit supplier for Aston Martin starting in 2026, ending its role as a customer supplier for Red Bull. The move aligns with the 2026 technical regulations that increase electrical output and require sustainable fuels.

The combination of the FIA’s upgrade restriction on Red Bull and Honda’s new partnership with Aston Martin highlights a divergent path for top teams ahead of the major power‑unit overhaul scheduled for 2026.