After more than 20 years away from the sport, Ford will return to Formula 1 in 2026. The automaker expects to team up with Red Bull.
What You Need to Know About Ford Announcing Plans to Return to Formula 1 in 2026
Ford has confirmed it will resume engagement when new power unit regulations are imposed. Ford left Formula One in 2004. This announcement comes ahead of Red Bull's 2023 season premiere on Friday morning in New York City. It sold its works team Jaguar to Red Bull at the time, and when it returns, it will operate with the same squad.
"This is the start of a fascinating new chapter in Ford's motorsports legacy that began when my great-grandfather won a race that helped build our firm," executive chair Bill Ford said. Ford is at the top of the sport by bringing Ford's long history of innovation, sustainability, and electrification to one of the most recognizable stages in the world.
Ford will concentrate on battery and hybrid technology, citing the recent finalization of the 2026 power unit regulations by the FIA and F1 as essential to the return. These specifications include enhanced electrical power and sustainable fuels.
Stefano Domenicali, CEO and president of Formula 1, stated, "The announcement today that Ford is coming to Formula 1 from 2026 is wonderful for the sport, and we are pleased to see them join the incredible automotive partners now in Formula 1. "They are a global brand with a history in the racing and automotive industries. They see the tremendous value that our platform offers to more than 500 million followers worldwide.
"Our aim to become Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and implement sustainable fuels in F1 vehicles starting in 2026 is another factor in their choice to compete in the sport. We are confident that our sport offers an opportunity and an unmatched platform. We can't wait for the Ford logo to start racing around F1's legendary circuits in 2026.
With 176 victories, Ford is still F1's third-most successful engine manufacturer. It includes a dominant run with the DFV in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem continued, "Fox's return to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship is fantastic news. Few manufacturers have such a storied motorsport history as Ford. "It further demonstrates the effectiveness of the 2026 power unit regulations. They focus on sustainability and spectacle. Having greater interest from the United States is crucial for the world's premier motorsport category."
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