Ford returns to Formula 1 racing with Red Bull after many years of absence
After more than two decades, Ford returns to the world championship in Formula 1 racing to officially announce the famous American automaker a partnership with Red Bull Powertrains in order to develop long-term strategic technologies for a new generation of hybrid engines to be used in Season 2026 onwards of Formula 1 racing.
Red Bull Ford Powertrains will supply powertrains to Oracle Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri from 2026 through at least 2030.
After officially announcing Ford's return to the Formula 1 world championship for the 2026 season, Mr. Bill Ford, CEO of Ford, said: “This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the Ford motorsports story, which began when my great-grandfather won A race that helped launch our company,” he added, “Ford, along with world champions, Oracle Team Red Bull, is returning to the pinnacle of the sport, bringing Ford’s proud traditions of innovation, sustainability and electrification to one of the world’s most iconic challenges.”
Starting in 2023, Ford and Red Bull Power Trains will develop the power unit that will be part of the new technical regulations, including a 350 kW electric motor and a new combustion engine capable of accepting fully sustainable fuels, to be ready for the 2026 season of F1 racing.
"Ford's return to Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing is not about where we've been, it's about where we're going - increasingly new, software-defined, electric cars and experiences," said Jim Farley, Ford President and CEO. "F1 will be an incredibly cost-effective platform to innovate, share ideas and technologies, and interact with tens of millions of new customers," he added.
Ford will provide technical expertise in all areas where it can add value to the Formula 1 world champion, and areas to be explored with Red Bull will include combustion engine development and key developments such as battery cell and electric motor technology and power unit control and analytics software.
Christian Horner, Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO, said: “It is great to welcome Ford back into Formula 1 through this partnership and, as an independent engine manufacturer, to be able to draw on the expertise of an OEM such as Ford. It puts us in a good position against the competition. They are manufacturers rich in automotive history that spans generations, from Jim Clark to Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, for us as Red Bull Powertrains to open the next chapter of that dynasty, as Red Bull Ford, is very exciting. It is still a long time until 2026 but for us the work is already beginning and we are looking forward to a new future and continued development at Oracle Red Bull Racing.”
Ford is investing $50 billion to lead the electric car revolution around the world, and it is the No. 2 company in the United States for electric vehicles. After the success of the Ford F150 Lightning pickup and the Mustang Mach E crossover, Ford is working to meet the growing consumer demand and offer An annual operating rate of 600,000 electric vehicles globally by the end of this year and 2 million globally by the end of 2026 as part of Ford's plan.
In 2026, Ford will be the only manufacturer competing in motorsports from Formula 1, WEC and IMSA including the Le Mans 24 Hours with the Mustang GT3 and WRC with the M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1, and the Dakar with the Ranger Raptor and Baja 1000, Ranger and Broncos, and NASCAR, NHRA and Supercars with Mustangs. Ford continues to leverage its racing efforts to accelerate innovations and the latest technology and software for consumers and will continue to do so through this new partnership at the pinnacle of motorsports for future Ford electric vehicles.
