‘We don’t go racing simply as a advertising train’ – Ford clarify the important thing elements behind their F1 return with Purple Bull

“In parallel to that, we noticed what was occurring to the game itself, with the recognition, the rising international fanbase, and variety of that fanbase, [which] would then give us a platform to inform our story.

“As we noticed that actually coming collectively and persevering with to develop, we began [to think], ‘Okay, that is trying like possibly it’s the precise time to get again into F1.’”

Having beforehand run their very own workforce – the ill-fated Jaguar Racing – in addition to been engine provider to different outfits together with Benetton and McLaren, Rushbrook mentioned they took their time evaluating how they’d make their F1 comeback.

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“You’ve acquired to return again in the precise approach,” he mentioned. “As quickly as [people] knew Ford had some curiosity, lots of people got here ahead, whether or not it was an current workforce or potential groups to see if there was a possibility for us to companion with them.

“We approached some groups, however initially none of them appeared proper. Coming again in as a full manufacturing facility… proudly owning a workforce, as we’ve carried out previously, additionally didn’t really feel proper. We needed to return in very strategically, to contribute the place it made sense, and likewise study the place it made sense.”

Rushbrook says the deal to companion with Purple Bull fulfilled that requirement.

“With Purple Bull, it was rapidly obvious that what they have been on the lookout for in a companion is one thing we may deliver, and what we have been on the lookout for in a companion is one thing they may deliver.

“Whereas that began, I’ll say the latter half of 2022, it went in a short time, within the sense that we knew it was the precise partnership from the very starting. We had extra discussions to get into extra element, and right here we’re as we speak, in a position to announce it.

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“However to us, it’s essential to return into the game on the proper time, and in the precise approach with the precise companion, and we consider we’re doing that on each counts.”

Purple Bull had already begun spinning up their very own Purple Bull Powertrains engine facility in Milton Keynes, and Rushbrook confirmed that may keep as the principle base of operations for the venture – however added that Ford will deliver the total may of their sources to bear as nicely.

“There’s an excellent basis in Milton Keynes with the Purple Bull campus,” he mentioned. “There have been already plans beneath solution to have a constructing for powertrains there, with the dynos, to deal with the workforce to construct the ability models, and that’s nonetheless the plan to have that because the cornerstone of the ability unit programme.

“All the pieces is on the desk, by way of sources from Ford Motor Firm to contribute to this, the place it’s going so as to add worth and profit. The preliminary areas which have been recognized, the place we’re working, are actually within the battery cell know-how, in electrical motor itself, the controls, software program.

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“I actually anticipate that we are going to have staff positioned full-time in Milton Keynes, however not but, at this level.”

The brand new energy models might be badged as Purple Bull Ford – and Rushbrook mentioned it was key for the American agency to actually be part of a growth course of.

“100 per cent, we wanted to have that. We don’t go racing simply as a advertising train, wherever, and particularly in F1.”

Nonetheless the advertising dividend may very well be large for the Blue Oval, particularly contemplating the game’s development within the US, the place this 12 months there might be three Grands Prix, Las Vegas becoming a member of the present races at Austin and Miami.

“[The US growth] actually helps,” Rushbrook conceded. “As we’ve mentioned, it was that mixture of the know-how, and the chance for two-way switch. It was the chance for advertising, and reference to various followers globally, however sure, the particular development within the US actually contributed to that – but it surely wasn’t the one motive [for Ford’s return].

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“And it’s nice to see extra races in the USA, and three very completely different races in three completely different elements of the nation. I used to be at COTA final 12 months and it was incredible.

“I hadn’t been there for races earlier than. It was a incredible environment and really feel, and the variety of followers there, and the fervour of these followers – it will be significant for us to be a part of it.”