American car manufacturer Ford is getting back into the Formula One circuit.
The move was announced Friday in New York at a Red Bull launch event which also confirmed a partnership between the two companies that’ll begin in 2026 when F1’s new engine regulations are set to begin.
The deal will see Ford team up with Red Bull’s recently-formed engine company, Red Bull Powertrains, which is based at the F1 team’s factory in Milton Keynes, England and is already working on a power unit to meet F1’s new engine regulations for 2026.
Ford’s involvement has been labelled as a strategic partnership and “will provide expertise in areas including battery cell and electric motor technology as well as power unit control software and analytics” and “combustion engine development.”
ESPN
This would be Ford’s first venture back into the circuit since 2004 when the manufacturer sold the Jaguar F1 team to Red Bull and later completed the sale of the luxury car company in 2008. Before selling the Jaguar F1 team, Ford spent 38 years in F1, dominating the sport in the 1960s and 1970s alongside engine partner Cosworth securing 10 constructors’ championships and 13 drivers’ championships.
Honda’s lack of a long-term commitment seemingly helped get Ford back into F1 specifically with Red Bull who’ll continue to run Honda engines until 2026 when Ford becomes the only North American supplier in the circuit. However, interestingly enough, General Motors has reportedly partnered with Andretti Autosport to be their engine supplier if they were to get an F1 team in the future.