Ford returns to F1 as power unit supplier to Red Bull in 2026

MANILA: Ford is making a comeback to Formula 1 after more than two decades. A long-term strategic technological relationship between the venerable American carmaker and Red Bull Powertrains is being established for the development of a next-generation hybrid power unit that will be deployed beginning with the 2026 Formula 1 season.

From 2026 till at least 2030, Red Bull Ford will supply the engines for the Scuderia AlphaTauri and Oracle Red Bull Racing teams, respectively.

“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,” said Bill Ford, Executive Chair.
“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 power unit that will be required to comply with the new technical rules, which will include a 350 kW electric motor and a new combustion engine capable of running on entirely sustainable fuels, will be developed starting in 2023 by Ford and Red Bull Powertrains 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,” said Jim Farley, President and CEO, Ford Motor Company. “F1 will be an incredibly cost-effective platform to innovate, share ideas and technologies, and engage with tens of millions of new customers.”

Ford will provide technical expertise in all areas where it can add value to the front-running World Championship team. Areas to be explored together are in the combustion engine development and key developments like battery cell and electric motor technology, power unit control software, and analytics.

“It’s fantastic to be welcoming Ford back into Formula 1 through this partnership,” said Christian Horner, Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO. “As an independent engine manufacturer, to have the ability to benefit from an OEM’s experience like Ford puts us in good stead against the competition. They are a manufacturer rich in motoring history that spans generations. From Jim Clark to Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, the lineage speaks for itself.

For us as Red Bull Powertrains to open the next chapter of that dynasty, as Red Bull Ford, is tremendously exciting. 2026 is still a while a way but for us the work already starts as we look to a new future and a continued evolution of Oracle Red Bull Racing.”

Ford is making a $50 billion investment to spearhead the global EV revolution. It is the second-ranked EV carmaker in the US. The popularity of the Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E, as well as the E-Transit, has made the United States' leading EV automaker a global force. As part of its Ford+ strategy, Ford is working to meet rising consumer demand and produce a global annual run rate of 600,000 electric vehicles by the end of this year and 2 million by the end of 2026.

In 2026, Ford will be the only manufacturer to be competing in racing disciplines from grassroots motorsports to Formula 1 — comprising WEC and IMSA including Le Mans 24 Hours with Mustang GT3, WRC with the M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1, Baja 1000 with Ranger Raptor and Bronco, and NASCAR, NHRA and Supercars with Mustang.

Ford will continue to use this new alliance at the pinnacle of motorsports to speed innovations, cutting-edge technologies, and software to consumers for upcoming Ford electric vehicles.

Photos from Ford, Formula 1

Also read: Filipino driver Bianca Bustamante joins F1 Academy