Red Bull Racing stepped into uncharted territory by unveiling its first-ever in-house Formula 1 power unit, marking a major milestone for the team. The ambitious project is being developed in partnership with Ford, which has invested heavily in resources and expertise. But despite the excitement surrounding the collaboration, the early stages of the program were far from trouble-free.
One unexpected obstacle emerged during a critical push to test a turbocharger ahead of the 2022 summer break. The plan was disrupted when U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized the component, bringing the test to a sudden halt. With F1 teams often spread across different countries, international logistics are a regular challenge, and this incident highlighted just how complicated those arrangements can become.
Formula 1 enforces a mandatory summer shutdown each year, giving teams a brief pause in an otherwise relentless calendar. This deadline played a key role in the drama, as explained by Ford Racing powertrain chief engineer Christian Hertrich in an interview with The Drive. The ticking clock added pressure to an already delicate situation.
At the time, Red Bull lacked the facilities needed to test the turbocharger internally. To beat the deadline, the team chose an unconventional solution: placing the turbo in a briefcase and having an engineer personally carry it to Ford’s facilities in Michigan. It was a bold move aimed at saving time and keeping development on schedule.
However, that plan unraveled when a customs officer intercepted and confiscated the part, effectively canceling the test before it could happen. The episode served as a stark reminder that even in the high-tech, meticulously planned world of Formula 1, progress can still be derailed by something as simple—and unavoidable—as border control.
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