It's official: Ford returns to F1 as Red Bull's partner in 2026

Ford announced Friday that it will return to Formula One in 2026 as a technical partner of reigning champion Red Bull Racing. The announcement was made in New York, where Red Bull unveiled the RB19 F1 car it has developed for the 2023 season.

Under the agreement, Ford will work closely with Red Bull's power unit division, Red Bull Powertrains, to develop a power unit that meets the new regulations that F1 will introduce in 2026. These regulations will require hybrid power units similar to current designs, but with 100% fuel sustainability and increased reliance on electricity.

Development of the new power unit will begin this year, Ford said. The company also said it can offer expertise in the areas of battery cell and electric motor technology, power unit control software and analytics, and internal combustion engine development.

Red Bull currently has no power unit supplier. The team uses designs from its former supplier, Honda, to produce its own power units. Red Bull also supplies power units to Alfa Tauri, and in the future the feeder team will also use a new unit developed with Ford.

Ford has said that Formula One's focus on sustainability and its increased exposure in the United States in recent years helped in its decision to return. Ford's production models, including electric vehicles, are also expected to benefit from the deal, particularly with regard to aerodynamics, materials technology, and efficient energy recovery. [Ford CEO Jim Farley said in a statement that "Ford's return to Formula One with Red Bull Racing is nothing less than the direction we are heading in as a company: electric, software-defined, state-of-the-art vehicles and experiences. F1 will be a very cost-effective platform for innovation, sharing ideas and technology, and engaging with tens of millions of new customers."

Similarly, General Motors, through its Cadillac division, is working with Andretti Global, the parent company of Andretti Autosport, on an F1 bid. Audi has also committed to entering F1 in 2026 with its existing team, Sauber, and recently purchased a minority stake in Sauber.

Porsche is also keen to enter F1. Porsche had been in negotiations with Red Bull Racing, which ended last September without a deal. Porsche has stated that it would be willing to enter F1 if the right opportunity presented itself.

Ford has taken a more hands-off approach, which is also rumored to have won it a partnership with Red Bull.

Ford has a rich history in F1, mostly as a power unit supplier. The Blue Oval was a key supporter of engine expert Cosworth, supplying Ford-branded engines for multiple seasons. However, Ford became more active in F1 when it bought the Stewart Grand Prix Team in 1999 and later rebranded it as Jaguar in 2000. Ford, which owned Jaguar at the time, financed the team from 2000 to 2004. Ford eventually sold the team to Red Bull at the end of 2004.