What does Ford do in F1?
Ford does not currently run a factory F1 team. The company has signaled a return to the sport in 2026 as an engine supplier, partnering with Red Bull Powertrains to develop and supply the next-generation power unit for Formula 1. This marks a shift back into F1 on the propulsion side, rather than as a standalone constructor.
Historically, Ford’s footprint in Formula 1 has been wide and influential. The brand helped drive F1 technology through its Cosworth DFV engine in the 1960s and 1970s and later ran Jaguar Racing as a works team in the early 2000s. The upcoming role is designed to re-engage Ford with F1 through engineering and power-unit development, aligning with the sport’s evolving regulations.
Ford's historical footprint in Formula 1
The following milestones highlight Ford's past involvement in Formula 1, illustrating how the company shaped the sport before focusing on a future engine partnership.
- 1967–1983: Ford-backed Cosworth DFV engines power dominant cars across multiple teams, helping redefine competitiveness in F1.
- 2000–2004: Ford-owned Jaguar Racing competes as a factory F1 team, marking Ford’s direct involvement as a works entry.
- 2004: Jaguar is sold to Red Bull; the team becomes Red Bull Racing, ending Ford’s direct ownership and marking a shift away from a works entry.
- 2009–2010s: Cosworth operates as an independent engine supplier to several backmarker teams, continuing Ford’s legacy in F1 engineering even after factory involvement ends.
- 2026 (planned): Ford intends to return to Formula 1 as a power-unit supplier through a partnership with Red Bull Powertrains, delivering a next-generation F1 engine under the Ford banner.
Taken together, these milestones show Ford’s long-standing influence in F1—from pioneering power units to fielding a works team, and finally pursuing a modern engine-supply role for a new era of the sport.
The road to 2026: Ford's engine project
Before a potential return becomes a reality, Ford’s strategy centers on supplying a new generation of power units to Formula 1 teams via a close collaboration with Red Bull Powertrains. The aim is to align the engine program with F1’s 2026 regulations, while leveraging Ford’s global engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
- Ford plans to develop and supply a next-generation Power Unit (internal combustion engine plus hybrid energy components) for the 2026 season, working with Red Bull Powertrains.
- The project is expected to involve joint engineering work between Ford’s international facilities and Red Bull’s Powertrains operations, with activities split across Europe and North America.
- Initial customer teams are anticipated to include Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri, subject to final commercial terms and regulatory approvals.
- The program will be designed to meet F1’s technical and cost targets for the new era, emphasizing reliability, performance, and sustainability within the sport’s framework.
If the plans proceed as announced, Ford’s return would emphasize propulsion technology and collaboration over a standalone factory team, potentially diversifying the sport’s engine landscape and restoring a major American manufacturer to the F1 stage.
Impact on the sport and fans
The re-emergence of Ford as a power-unit supplier would reshape the Formula 1 ecosystem. It would expand the supplier pool, influence how Red Bull Powertrains collaborates with engine partners, and likely affect technology development across teams. Fans could anticipate new branding, more competitive power units, and renewed interest in the global tie-ins between American manufacturing and Formula 1 engineering excellence.
Technical focus of the Ford power unit
Ford’s expected power unit development is likely to emphasize a sophisticated hybrid system, with an internal combustion engine paired to energy-recovery components, compact packaging, and reliability under F1’s demanding race conditions. The program would aim to balance peak performance with sustainable efficiency, aligned to the 2026 regulatory framework and cost controls that govern F1 power units.
Summary
Ford’s Formula 1 story is long and influential: from the influential Cosworth DFV era to a works Jaguar Racing chapter, and now a planned return as an engine supplier for 2026. If realized, the Ford–Red Bull Powertrains collaboration would reintroduce Ford to F1 as a major propulsion partner rather than a factory team, signaling a new chapter in the sport’s evolution and a renewed bridge between American manufacturing and Formula 1 innovation.
Why is there no Ford in F1?
Ford is not in F1 because they previously left the sport in 2004, and a return was seen as too expensive and risky. However, Ford is returning to F1 for the 2026 season by partnering with Red Bull Powertrains, and this comeback was motivated by new hybrid engine regulations and the opportunity to develop new technology in collaboration with a top team.
Reasons for the past departure
- Cost and risk: Running a competitive F1 team is incredibly expensive, costing hundreds of millions of dollars per season. Ford concluded that the return on investment wasn't worth the enormous cost and risk.
- Focus on other motorsports: Ford was already heavily involved in other racing series like NASCAR, WEC, and WRC, which were seen as providing sufficient marketing and brand visibility.
- Strategic decision: After the 2004 sale of its Jaguar Racing team, Ford's management decided that a full F1 team was not a strategic priority, and the company would focus its resources elsewhere.
Why Ford is returning now
- New regulations: The new F1 engine regulations starting in 2026, which focus on hybrid systems, sustainable fuels, and increased electrical power, have made the sport more attractive to major car manufacturers like Ford.
- Strategic partnership: Ford is not building its own team from scratch, but rather entering into a partnership with Red Bull Powertrains. This allows them to focus on developing the hybrid power unit for 2026 without the immense cost and risk of running a full team, as explained by Ford Authority and Formula 1.
- Technology and brand: Ford sees this partnership as an opportunity to develop cutting-edge technology in hybrid systems and software, which can be applied to its road cars. The return also aims to revitalize the Ford brand by associating it with a winning team in a globally popular sport.
What is Ford doing in F1?
Starting from 2023, Ford and Red Bull Powertrains will work to develop the power unit that will be part of the new technical regulations, including a 350 kW electric motor and a new combustion engine able to accept fully sustainable fuels, ready for the 2026 season.
Do any F1 teams use Ford engines?
Red Bull Ford will provide the power units for both the Oracle Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri teams from 2026 to at least 2030.
Why did Ferrari reject Ford?
Ferrari did not sell to Ford because Enzo Ferrari pulled out of the deal at the last minute after a dispute over a contractual clause that would have given Ford control of the racing team's budget. Enzo Ferrari viewed racing as his main priority and was unwilling to relinquish control of his racing program to Ford, even for a substantial sum of money. This rejection enraged Henry Ford II, sparking a rivalry that led to Ford developing the GT40 to compete against Ferrari at Le Mans.
- Control over racing: The core reason for the deal's failure was that Ferrari would not cede control of its racing team's budget and decisions to Ford.
- Racing was the priority: Enzo Ferrari considered the road car business to be a way to fund his racing efforts, and he would not compromise on his passion for racing.
- Contractual dispute: A specific clause in the acquisition contract required Ford to control the racing budget, which Enzo Ferrari saw as an unacceptable loss of autonomy.
- Personal pride and ego: The situation was also a clash of egos, and Enzo Ferrari reportedly made dismissive remarks about Ford, contributing to the breakdown of the negotiations.
- Resulting rivalry: Following the failed deal, Henry Ford II was angered and directed his company to build a car that could beat Ferrari, leading to the creation of the Ford GT40 to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
