Ford teams up with Red Bull for return to Formula One in 2026

Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen (centre), Australian Daniel Ricciardo (right) and Mexican Sergio Pérez attend a Red Bull Racing unveiling of the team’s new Formula One car during a launch event in New York City on 3 February – AFP

Red Bull Racing unveils the team’s new Formula One car during a launch event in New York City on 3 February – AFP

NEW YORK,AFP: American car manufacturer Ford will return to Formula One in 2026 after more than two decades away with a link-up with world champions Red Bull, the company said on Friday.

Ford announced they were entering a “long term strategic technical partnership for the development of the next-gen hybrid power unit to be used from the 2026 Formula 1 season onwards.” The company said they would provide the power units for both the Red Bull team and the Alpha Tauri team until at least 2030.

“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,” said Bill Ford, executive chair.

Ford last featured in F1 in 2004 when they were partnered with Jordan and their return is a further sign of the growth of the sport in the United States.

This season will see three Grand Prix races in the US with Las Vegas joining Miami and Austin on the calendar. The popularity of F1 in the country has soared since the Netflix series ‘Drive to Survive’ enjoyed huge success. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has won the past two drivers’ titles in F1 and the Honda-powered team are the defending constructors’ champions.

Ford have played a part in 10 constructors’ championships and 13 drivers’ championships – making them the third most successful engine manufacturer in F1 history with their most recent success coming via Michael Schumacher’s win with Benetton in 1994.

Red Bull unveiled their new car for the upcoming season at an event in New York on Friday and team principal Christian Horner said he was looking forward to the link-up.

The companies will begin collaborating this year ahead of the change of regulations for engines in F1 and the agreement was welcomed by Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali.