Ford to Re-Enter Formula 1 as Red Bull Engine Manufacturer in 2026
Ford Motor Company has a decades-long relationship with Formula 1 that includes a record for being the third-winningest engine manufacturer in the sport’s long and storied history. Given its success, it’s not surprising to see the announcement that Ford is returning to Formula 1 as an engine manufacturer in 2026.
Rumors have swirled that Ford would re-enter Formula 1, partnering with Red Bull, and it’s now expected that the team will announce its new American engine manufacturer at its 2023 car launch in New York tonight. Ford’s last race in Formula 1 was in 2004, after which it pulled the Jaguar team from the sport and sold it to Red Bull.
Ford will join Audi with its entry. The German automaker announced it would partner with Alfa Romeo-linked Sauber with its F1 program in 2026. Andretti and Cadillac’s bid to enter F1 has faced strong headwinds as the existing teams balk at the prospect of an immediately competitive American shop.
Ford’s re-entry in 2026 coincides with new power unit regulations, which will increase electric power and completely eliminate fossil fuels. F1 is partnered with Saudi Arabian oil company ARAMCO on a project to develop synthetic fuels which will derive carbon from “non-food sources, genuine municipal waste, or even out of the atmosphere.” At the same time, the car’s electric motors will produce nearly three times the power they do today and will be completely contained in the safety cell for improved safety.
[Image: Ford Motor Company]
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"Andretti and Cadillac’s bid to enter F1 has faced strong headwinds as the existing teams balk at the prospect of an immediately competitive American shop".
Why would the existing teams be worried about Andretti-Cadillac being immediately competitive? What makes you think they would be competitive out of the gate? The existing teams do not want the prize money pool to be diluted.
Before they take their first competition laps those engines will be recalled.
Here's how much Ford had to do design-wise with that engine in the article's lead picture.
Zero.
It was a Cosworth when Cosworth was still original Cosworth, over 30 years ago. The engine shown is a development of the original DFV. Ford paid to have its name on the cam covers for decades.
I wonder who Ford will get to design this proposed new F1 engine for 2026. Because sure as hell, they don't have the in-house talent to do it themselves.
Why do you think Ford does not have the expertise to build an engine like Mercedes and Renault produce? I have been driving since 1963 and have owned several of everything and my Ford experience has been neither better or worse than any other builder. And I say that while getting a monthly retirement check with the oval on it. Or the digital equivalent. It isn't rocket science.