Ford announced this Friday that it returns to Formula 1 as an engine supplier from 2026, coinciding with the change in regulations. Hours later, the second part of the ambitious plan is confirmed: they will join Red Bull as technical partners and will be implemented in its engine factory “to develop the next hybrid power unit.” The deal includes Red Bull Racing powertrains and also Alpha Tauri, and runs from 2026 to 2030. Verstappen will drive a Red Bull Ford in three years’ time.
The presentation of the agreement was made in New York, minutes before Red Bull will show its RB19 for the first time for the 2023 season and that it will still have the Honda seal on the engine. Curiously, this year they recover the Japanese name on their engines after a year of hiatus (in 2022 they were Red Bull Powertrains, without more). The Milton Keynes plant, which has dominated F1 in the last two seasons, confirms that it does not marry anyone: It has driven Cosworth (2005), Ferrari (2006), Renault (2007-2018) and Honda (2019-2022) engines and now, after hard negotiations with Porsche, it has reached an agreement with Ford.
The work of this alliance will begin in 2023, “Ford and Red Bull Powertrains will develop the power unit of the new technical regulation, which includes a 500CV electric motor and a new combustion engine (of another 500CV) capable of accepting fully sustainable fuels” , they specify. Ford will be especially involved in electrical technology, batteries and software, they say. Red Bull boss Christian Horner celebrates: “It is fantastic to welcome Ford, the possibility of benefiting from the experience of a manufacturer puts us in a good place against the competition. Its history spans generations, from Jim Clark to Senna or Schumacher.” Jim Farley, president of the company: “It is a new era for Ford Performance, we will compete to win in Formula 1.”
A history of F1
As of 2026, Ford will compete simultaneously in F1, WEC, IMSA, World Rally, Dakar and Nascar, among other international categories. But their past links them directly to the Great Circus. The Ford-Cosworth association completed more than 500 grand prix in 38 seasons with 176 victories and ten constructor titles (even today they are the third engine with the most World Cups behind Ferrari and Renault, tied with Mercedes) at the hands of teams such as Tyrrell, Lotus, McLaren, Brabham, Benetton or Williams, among others. Curiously, he had his greatest successes with the Tyrrell factory, which would later pass through the hands of Stewart or Jaguar, and which in 2004 bought Red Bull.
Stefano Domenicali, CEO of F1, celebrates “The news of Ford’s arrival in the World Cup starting in 2026 is fantastic and exciting for the sport. A global brand with an incredible legacy in motorsports and automotive.” For his part, the president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, stressed that “few manufacturers have a past in motorsports like Ford. This underscores the success of the 2026 Power Unit Rule, which commits to sustainability and spectacle, and of course highlights America’s growing interest in the most important category of powertrain.” The FIA confirmed yesterday the registrations as manufacturers of engines of Ferrari, Mercedes, Alpine, Audi, Honda and now Ford. Cadillac could be added, which has shown interest recently.