Ford Announces Return to Formula 1 Racing in 2026 in New Partnership with Red Bull

For the first time in over twenty years, Ford will be making its return to the Formula 1 racing organization. In a press release, Ford announced that it has forged a long-term partnership with Red Bull in the technological development of a new hybrid power unit to be used in the 2026 season for both the Oracle Red Bull Racing team and Scuderia AlphaTauri team to at least 2030.

“This is the start of a thrilling new chapter in Ford’s motorsports story that began when my great-grandfather won a race that helped launch our company,” says executive chaiman Bill Ford. “Ford, alongside world champions, Oracle Red Bull Racing, 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.”

The new powertrains being developed by Ford and Red Bull will be part of Formula 1’s new technical regulations regarding future vehicles, which includes a 350 kW electric motor and a new internal-combustion engine that is capable of running on fully sustainable fuels in time for the 2026 season.

“Ford’s return to Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing is all about where we are going as a company– increasingly electric, software-defined, modern vehicles and experiences,” says Ford President & CEO Jim Farley. “F1 will be an incredibly cost-effective platform to innovate, share ideas and technologies, and engage with tens of millions of new customers.”

Ford plans on contributing technical expertise to the already front-running Oracle Red Bull Racing team. They hope to make great advancements in both ICE and EV powertrains, as well as new developments in power unit control software and analytics.

By 2026, Ford will be the only manufacturer seen in competitive racing leagues from homegrown motorsports to F1. That includes other racing organizations like Le Mans 24 Hours, WRCC, Baja 1000, NASCAR, NHRA, and Supercars.

“We are entering an exciting new age for Ford Performance,” says Farley. “We will be competing to win in F1, the pinnacle for motor sport, with Red Bull Racing.  You will see the world’s most popular sports coupe, the Mustang, race from the grass roots to Australian Supercars to NASCAR to Le Mans.  And will build our off-road leadership in the World Rally Championship, King of Hammers and to the Baja 1000 and more. All the while, we’ll continue to excite the world with cool demonstrators like SuperVan 4 and Mustang Mach-E 1400.”