Hexagon announced that advanced measurement technologies from its Manufacturing Intelligence Business Area have been instrumental in the development and production of the first powertrain produced by Red Bull Ford Powertrains.
Preparing for the rule changes for chassis and engines governing the 2026 F1 season, Red Bull Ford Powertrains used Hexagon’s coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), 3D laser scanners and software to achieve the sub-micron tolerances necessary for the manufacture, testing and assembly of its entirely new 1.6-liter V6 turbo hybrid powertrain.
The new regulations require a complete redesign of all cars to accommodate an era of more "agile, competitive, safer and more sustainable” racing. While the new rules increase reliance on electrical energy, altered aerodynamics and changes to wings will produce less downforce, placing new performance demands on the car’s power unit. The front wings are simplified, while the undersides of cars have lost Venturi tunnels that generated a huge amount of grip.
To meet these new rules, Red Bull decided in 2021 to build its own powertrain from scratch at the Red Bull Technology Campus in Milton Keynes. In 2023, it added Ford Racing as a technical partner. Oracle Red Bull Racing remains responsible for production of the chassis and the significant alterations necessary for race compliance in 2026.
From the start of engine production four years ago, Hexagon’s metrology technologies, including the Leitz PMM-C Precision CMM and Leica Absolute Scanner AS1, proved integral to achieving the thousandth-of-a-millimeter tolerances required to deliver the race-ready power unit on time. They accelerated testing and inspection along the entire R&D phase right through to prototyping, test-rig testing and production at Red Bull Ford Powertrains facility in Milton Keynes.
The Leitz PMM-C CMMs are used right across the manufacturing and build areas. The portable AS1 3D scanner is used with an Absolute Arm to scan the outer surfaces of the power unit’s crankcases and Energy Recovery System (ERS) installations for quality control.
Hexagon reportedly enabled the Red Bull Ford Powertrains team to integrate quality inspection and digitalize up-to-date 3D models into its engineering processes. Data is captured in QUINDOS – Hexagon’s advanced metrology software for complex geometries, such as gears, blades and similarly challenging components. Where required, the data is transferred to Hexagon’s Q-DAS for further statistical trend analysis. The integration of these solutions allows for monitoring of CNC machines and provides corrective feedback to ensure components are manufactured right the first-time.
Oracle Red Bull Racing, which builds the chassis, also uses Hexagon technology, including laser trackers, to ensure the extreme accuracy of set-up and power unit assembly for the new vehicles during the racing season. Hexagon’s 3D laser scanning technology and trackside support will be crucial to the required continuous aerodynamic refinements.
With around 30,000 design changes each season, the team relies on Hexagon’s 3D laser scanners and digitalization solutions. The Oracle Red Bull Racing team has reportedly reduced faults by 50% using Hexagon technology over 24 months.
