The American brand has announced in a press statement that the Red Bull-Ford agreement is now finalized and official.
It will be a new age of technological restrictions in F1. The brand will return to the sport in 2026 and team up with Red Bull. This comes amid widespread rumours of a potential cooperation announcement on the day of the Austrian team’s vehicle debut.
The fact that Red Bull chose to introduce the brand in New York, of all places, was a link that many people had already established. However, everything led to a collaboration with the American company that will rejoin F1 after a twenty-year sabbatical. Bill Ford, the executive chair, stated in a news release:
“This is the beginning of a fascinating new chapter in the history of Ford in motorsports, which began when my great-grandfather won a race that assisted in the establishment of our business. Ford is making a comeback to the top of the sport, bringing its long history of innovation, sustainability, and electrification to one of the most prominent stages in the world.”
Stefano Domenicali, the CEO, and president of F1, expressed his happiness at having a company like Ford join the sport.
“We are thrilled to have Ford join the fantastic automotive partners now in Formula 1. Also, we are thrilled by the announcement that they will be joining the sport in 2026.”
“Ford is a well-known international brand with a remarkable history in the racing and car industries. Moreover, Ford recognizes the tremendous value our platform offers with its more than 500 million global followers.”
The FIA president applauds Ford’s involvement with Red Bull in Formula 1
Ford will be engaged in the hybrid and battery technologies for Red Bull’s power unit. It defied early expectations that this would merely be a sponsorship/badging exercise. What type of connection the Milton Keynes-based Red Bull powertrain will have with the American company is still to be determined.
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Ford’s collaboration with Red Bull was praised by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. He lauded the brand’s illustrious past and the significance it would bring to the sport, saying:
“Fox’s return to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship is wonderful news. Few manufacturers have a storied motorsport heritage like Ford. It further demonstrates the success of the 2026 power unit regulations, which are focused on sustainability and spectacle. Moreover, Having increased interest from the United States is crucial for the future expansion of the highest motorsports category in the globe.”
However, Ford’s return to the sport raises concerns about Honda’s potential involvement in Formula One after 2026.
