F1: Ford and Red Bull announce partnership

Ford confirms its plan to return to F1 from the 2026 season, returning after 22 years.

American car giant, Ford has confirmed the brand’s intention to return to Formula 1 in the 2026 season. This announcement will add to Ford’s history in the sport, with their first involvement stretching back to the 1960s.

Ford will partner with Red Bull Racing, which won both the 2022 driver and constructors’ Championships. The partnership is expected to start in 2026, with a change in engine regulations. The announcent happened at the launch event in New York, where Red Bull would unveil the partnership.

The new regulations will mean there will be 100% sustainable fuels and increased electrical power. It has led to brands such as Cadillac wanting to join the sport, with the Andretti team.

Red Bull Racing last partnered with Honda, with the partnership beginning in 2019, and experienced great results with the Japanese manufacturer. In 2020 they would announce that Honda would leave the sport at the end of 2021, leaving Red Bull to develop the power units.

Ford’s first F1 title came in 1968 with Graham Hill driving a Lotus, since then Ford has won 13 driver’s championships and 10 constructors’ Championships. They are one of the most historic engine suppliers.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of F1, said: “The news today that Ford is coming to Formula 1 from 2026 is great for the sport and we are excited to see them join the incredible automotive partners already in Formula 1.

“Ford is a global brand with an incredible heritage in racing and the automotive world and they see the huge value that our platform provides with over half a billion fans around the world.

“Our commitment to be Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and to introduce sustainable fuels in the F1 cars from 2026 is also an important reason for their decision to enter F1.

“We believe that our sport provides the opportunity and reach unlike any other and we cannot wait for the Ford logo to be racing round F1’s iconic circuits from 2026.”

Executive Chairman, Ford Motor Company, Bill Ford, commented: “This is the start of a thrilling new chapter in Ford’s motorsports story that began when my great-grandfather [Henry Ford] won a race that helped launch our company.

“Ford is returning to the pinnacle of the sport, bringing Ford’s long tradition of innovation, sustainability and electrification to one of the world’s most visible stages.”

Image: Red Bull Media House