Ford’s Re-entry into F1 with Red Bull Could Be The Biggest Hit for 2026

8 min readSep 10, 2024

Let’s start with a little bit of history (no, its not boring)

Did you know that Ford engines have powered 176 Grand Prix victories, making it the third-most successful engine manufacturer behind only Ferrari and Mercedes?
And that Ford powered 13 world champions between 1968 and 1995, bringing Michael Schumacher his first title and Ayrton Senna his final win.

So when Ford announced its return to Formula 1 through a strategic partnership with Red Bull Powertrains, the automotive world took notice.

Their return to Formula 1 is not just a nostalgic callback to the company’s storied past in the sport. It is also not just another brand jumping on the F1 bandwagon; it’s a forward-thinking move that aligns with the future of motorsport and the automotive industry.

It’s a rekindling of a storied history between Ford and Formula 1, one that dates back to the golden years of motorsport.

For a company that powered some of the greatest names in F1 history, this new venture with a proven world champion team marks a significant shift, not only for Ford but for the sport itself.

Michael Schumacher — Benetton Ford at Catalunya, Spanish GP 1991

Ford and Red Bull: Perfect Timing.

The timing of Ford’s return couldn’t be more perfect. As Formula 1 undergoes yet another powertrain regulations in 2026, the partnership with Red Bull Racing offers Ford a seamless re-entry

Red Bull, fresh off their dominant years with Max Verstappen, is a team that knows how to win.

And for Ford, it’s not just about returning; it’s about returning to win.

Jim Farley, Ford’s CEO, is . His passion for motorsport is well-documented — he’s a man , made his professional debut at Daytona, and spends his spare time building models of iconic F1 cars.

Under his leadership, Ford has committed heavily to electric vehicles and sustainable automotive solutions. This new venture with Red Bull ties perfectly into Ford’s broader commitment to decarbonization and advanced automotive technology.

A Strategic Power Play: F1’s Shift to Sustainability

Ford’s decision to rejoin Formula 1 comes at a time when the sport is aligning itself more with the future of the automotive industry.

F1’s shift to synthetic fuels and hybrid powertrains, with increased reliance on energy recovery systems, presents an attractive proposition for manufacturers like Ford that are heavily invested in electric and hybrid technologies.

The new regulations, , are designed to make Formula 1 cars more environmentally friendly while maintaining the cutting-edge performance that defines the sport.

For Ford, these changes align perfectly with its long-term sustainability goals. The company in 2021, part of its broader plan to shift to an all-electric lineup in Europe by 2030. (that however has been curtailed in recent times due to the in the last 1 year)

Partnering with Red Bull Powertrains allows Ford to tap into F1’s data-driven approach to performance and innovation while steering clear of the logistical burden of manufacturing engines in-house.

Ford Cosworth DFV Engine installed in a Williams Car

A Storied History: Ford’s Golden Era in F1

Ford’s legacy in Formula 1 is one of the most illustrious in the sport’s history.

In 1967, the Ford-Cosworth DFV engine made its debut, and by 1968, it had powered Graham Hill to a World Championship title. What followed was an unprecedented era of dominance.

Ford Cosworth’s Legendary DFV Engine, Arguably the Best Formula 1 Engine of All Time

Between 1968 and 1983, Ford-powered cars claimed 155 wins and 12 Drivers’ Championships.

The DFV engine became synonymous with success, powering legends like Jackie Stewart, James Hunt, and Mario Andretti to world titles.

Ford’s engines were behind Michael Schumacher’s first World Championship with Benetton in 1994, and Ayrton Senna’s final Grand Prix victory came in a Ford-powered McLaren in 1993.

This legacy of excellence established Ford as one of the cornerstones of Formula 1’s history.

However, the relationship between Ford and F1 came to an abrupt halt in 2004 after the Jaguar Racing debacle. Ford sold the team, and it was Christian Horner and Red Bull who turned it into a championship-winning operation.

The irony of Ford returning to partner with Red Bull Racing, the very team that rose from Jaguar’s ashes, cannot be overstated. It’s a poetic full-circle moment, marking Ford’s return to the pinnacle of motorsport.

Looking Ahead: What the Future Holds for Ford in F1

The Ford-Red Bull partnership is more than just a marketing move; it’s a strategic play aimed at leveraging F1’s growing global reach, especially in the United States.

With the sport’s popularity booming thanks to the Netflix series Drive to Survive and more U.S.-based races on the calendar, Ford’s decision to re-enter F1 is perfectly timed.

The 2026 regulations will see an even greater focus on electrification, with F1 cars relying more heavily on hybrid technology and synthetic fuels. For Ford, this represents a unique opportunity to showcase its innovations in sustainable technology while tapping into the sport’s growing global audience.

In Red Bull, Ford has found the perfect partner. Christian Horner’s team has consistently been at the forefront of innovation, and their partnership with Honda over the last few years has yielded multiple world championships.

With Ford’s resources and expertise in advanced automotive technologies, the potential for future success is enormous. The partnership with Red Bull Racing positions Ford to not only re-enter Formula 1 but to do so at the very top of the grid.

Over the years, Formula 1 engines have evolved considerably from water pumps to Hybrid technologies, so only time will tell how the re-entry of Ford into F1 will shape the future of engine technology

But for now, just like in the golden days of the DFV engine, Ford is ready to power champions once again.

Another interesting bit of history before closing this article (credit to George Wright @F1buff )—

Ford owes its success to another individual who is, unfortunately, less recognized than some other greats in the F1 world.

His name is Keith Duckworth, he worked at Lotus alongside Colip Chapman. When he left Lotus, he set up Cosworth (Yes, the same Ford Cosworth) along with his business partner Mike Costin.

Duckworth would go on to design a new engine for exclusive use in Lotus’ Formula 1 cars.

It was this deal that set in motion a chain of events that would produce the most legendary engine in Formula 1 — and perhaps all of motorsport — history.

In order to get Duckworth’s F1 engine project off the ground, funding was secured by Chapman from the Ford Motor Company, which forged a long-term relationship between Cosworth and the Michigan-based automotive giant.

By 1967 and after a great deal of work, Duckworth’s engine was ready, and it was clear very early on that it was special.

Duckworth’s engine became known as the Ford-Cosworth Double Four Valve, or DFV, in reference to it having two banks of four cylinders, with four valves per cylinder.

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