Ford enters Formula 1 in 2026 with Red Bull Racing

As expectedFord will return to Formula 1 for the 2026 season after a 22-year hiatus, teaming up with Red Bull Powertrains to work on a next-generation hybrid power unit.

The newly announced deal will create an entity called Red Bull Ford, which will supply powertrains to the Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri teams until at least 2030.

This gives the reigning Constructors’ Champion a new partner beyond Honda, which is slowly leaving the sport.

The Red Bull-Ford Alliance will this year begin development of a power unit to meet new specifications – including a 350 kW electric motor, battery, control and analysis software as well as a motor new internal combustion can run on more sustainable fuels.

“This is the beginning of a thrilling new chapter in the Ford motorsport story that began when my great-grandfather won a race that helped found our company,” said Bill Ford.

The FIA ​​and F1 are increasing their focus on making the sport greener, which is attracting major carmakers looking to develop their hybrid credentials.

Chairman and CEO Jim Farley (a famous car enthusiast) said: “Ford’s return to Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing is all about where we are going as a company. company.

“More and more modern, software-defined, electric vehicles and experiences are becoming available. F1 will be an extremely cost-effective platform to innovate, share ideas and technology, and attract tens of millions of new customers.”

F1 is also growing in popularity in the US, thanks in part to the Netflix series Drive to survive.

Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO, said the deal was “extremely exciting”.

“Being an independent engine manufacturer having the ability to benefit from the experience of an OEM like Ford gives us a competitive edge,” he said.

“They are a manufacturer with a long history of automobiles spanning many generations. From Jim Clark to Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, the lineage speaks for itself.

“For us as Red Bull Powertrains, opening the next chapter of that dynasty, as Red Bull Ford, is incredibly exciting. 2026 is still a long way off but for us the work has begun as we look to a new future and the continued growth of Oracle Red Bull Racing.”

Ford last competed in F1 in 2004 and has won 10 Constructors and 13 Drivers championships. It claims to be the third most successful engine manufacturer in the sport.

The company isn’t the only OEM looking to join F1 in the second half of the decade.

audio announced his plans last August, said a major factor in the decision to enter F1 from 2026 was the series’ growing focus on electrification and sustainable fuels. that is combined with Sauber.

Meanwhile, Ford’s big rival, General Motors, said in January of this year they are keen to join the new Andretti Cadillac F1 team, based in the US, “to build on previous racing achievements while expanding the international reach of both brands”.

F1 technical director Pat Symonds last year discussed promoting sustainable fuelsstarting in 2022 with the addition of 10% green ethanol to the running mix.

Former Motorsports F1 CEO Ross Brawn added: “We’re working on an E-fuel where the carbon circle is completely neutral so the carbon used to produce that fuel is the same amount as the carbon emissions. from an internal combustion engine.”

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