Mark Rushbrook, Ford’s boss, made it clear that the automaker’s position in Formula 1 will not be affected by Max Verstappen’s decision about his future.
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The Dutchman’s stay on the category’s grid has been questioned especially after the driver’s expressed concerns about the direction of the sport, particularly about the technical regulations and the engine.
The change coincided with Ford’s entry into F1 in partnership with Red Bull, but the brand will not be shaken by the four-time champion’s decisions.
“We came to Formula 1 to be in Formula 1 and we chose Red Bull because of what it is as a team, as a culture, not because of any particular individual,” he told Motorsport.com.
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“And, again, we love Max, we love the fact that he is racing in a Red Bull car with a Ford engine. We would hate to see him leave, but that would not change our commitment to the sport,” he continued.
Also, Red Bull has marked a series of farewells in recent years including Christian Horner, Helmut Marko, Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley and at the end of 2027, Gianpiero Lambiase.
“There is always some concern when you see someone leaving. ‘Why are they leaving? What does this really mean for the team?’. So, it’s not that it’s not important, but you react to these things, just like anything else in racing, or even in life. When things happen, it all comes down to how you react to them and stay strong,” Rushbrook commented.
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