Why does Ford not have a F1 team?

The short answer: Ford does not currently field a Formula One team. The automaker exited as a factory entrant in 2004 after its Jaguar Racing operation and has since pursued a strategy focused on partnerships and alternative motorsport programs rather than running a standalone constructor. Ford has signaled a pathway back to F1, not as a full constructor, but as an engine supplier for Red Bull beginning in 2026.

To understand why, it helps to look at Ford’s historical involvement in Formula One, how the company shifted its strategic priorities in the 2000s, and what its current plans imply for the sport’s future. Formula One remains an intensely capital-intensive arena where the costs of running a top-tier works team can eclipses the budgets of many global automakers. Ford’s approach in recent years has been to leverage partnerships, technology transfer, and branding without bearing the full burden of owning and operating a factory team.

Historical context

Factory involvement and the Jaguar era

Ford’s relationship with Formula One stretches back to the era of the Ford-Cordworth collaboration, where Ford-backed engines powered the sport’s most dominant teams during the late 1960s and 1970s. That era cemented Ford’s engineering reputation in F1, even as the company’s exact role varied over time. In the 2000s, Ford owned the Jaguar Racing team, which competed in F1 from 2000 to 2004. The Jaguar project struggled to deliver consistent results and return on investment, and Ford ultimately decided to exit as a factory entrant.

• 1960s–1970s: Ford-supported engine programs, notably the Cosworth DFV, powered multiple championship teams and helped Ford build a strong F1 engineering legacy.


• 2000–2004: Ford owned Jaguar Racing in Formula One; the team faced competitiveness challenges and rising costs.


• 2004: Ford sold Jaguar Racing to Red Bull, and the operation evolved into Red Bull Racing (and later Scuderia AlphaTauri under Red Bull Powertrains’ umbrella) on the race track.

The net effect of these chapters is that Ford’s direct factory presence in Formula One ended in the mid-2000s. Since then, the company has prioritized other motorsports programs and consumer-vehicle initiatives while remaining open to selective, strategic involvement in F1 through partnerships rather than a full-time constructor role.

Ford’s current stance and 2026 plans

Engine supplier, not a constructor

In the 2020s, Ford signaled a carefully scoped approach to Formula One. The company has announced plans to re-enter F1 as a power unit supplier for Red Bull starting in 2026. Under this arrangement, Ford would contribute its powertrain technology while Red Bull handles chassis design, race operations, and overall team management. This model aligns with Ford’s broader corporate strategy to participate in cutting-edge motorsport through partnerships and technology sharing, rather than shouldering the full financial and organizational burden of running a factory team.

1. Ford’s 2026 power unit supply to Red Bull marks a return to F1 in a different capacity—engine supplier rather than constructor.


2. The collaboration would involve Ford Performance and Red Bull Technology working together on powertrain development, with Red Bull Powertrains handling the on-track integration and race operation.


3. Ford’s stated aim is to contribute advanced propulsion and efficiency technology while maintaining a disciplined cost profile and leveraging its legacy in high-performance engineering.

Concluding thought: The move represents a re-entry strategy that prioritizes technical influence and brand presence in F1 while avoiding the prohibitive costs and complexity of maintaining a full-fledged American factory team in the sport.

What this means for fans and the sport

For Formula One fans and observers, Ford’s shift from a full works team to a partner-engine supplier reflects broader trends in the sport: fewer multi-billion-dollar factory entries, greater emphasis on collaborations to share technology, and a diversification of engine suppliers. An American automaker returning in any capacity is still a high-profile development for the sport, potentially boosting viewership and sponsorship interest in the United States. Although Ford may not field a standalone car in the near term, its engineering influence could be felt through the power units and the technology transfer that accompanies them.

Industry analysts note that the engine-supplier model can deliver significant brand value and technical prestige without the overhead of a competing chassis project. This approach also gives Ford the chance to align with a successful, high-profile team while retaining flexibility should market conditions or strategic priorities shift again in the future.

Summary

Ford does not currently operate an Formula One team because its factory involvement ended in 2004 with the Jaguar Racing era, after which the company shifted toward other motorsports and a broader strategic focus on profitability and electrification. The current path for Ford is to re-enter F1 as an engine supplier for Red Bull beginning in 2026, rather than re-establishing a full works team. This model reflects a balance between maintaining influence in the sport, controlling costs, and leveraging Ford’s engineering strengths in a changing F1 landscape.

As the sport evolves and new regulations shape competitiveness, Ford’s next chapter in Formula One—whether as a power unit partner or potentially broader collaboration—will be watched closely by fans, teams, and industry observers alike.

Why is number 69 banned in F1?

Number 69 is not officially banned in F1, but no driver has chosen it since the current number system was introduced in 2014, likely due to its cultural associations and potential for controversy. Instead of being officially banned, it is likely avoided by drivers and teams for professional reasons, though a driver like Max Verstappen has publicly expressed interest in the number for its marketing potential, notes gpfans.com. 

• Not an official ban: The number 69 is not on an official list of banned numbers like number 17, which was retired out of respect for Jules Bianchi, says the Times of India. 
• Cultural and professional reasons: The number is likely avoided because of its association with a sexual innuendo, which could be seen as unprofessional by some. 
• Driver choice: Drivers are allowed to choose any number from 2 to 99, and it's up to them which one they want to use for their career, with the number 1 reserved for the reigning world champion, according to the Fandom wiki. 
• Marketing potential: Max Verstappen has mentioned that the number 69 could be a good choice for marketing because it reads the same way up or down, but this is a personal opinion and not an official stance, notes gpfans.com. 

Why is BMW no longer in F1?

BMW is not in F1 because the company's leadership believes its motorsport activities are better served in series like the World Endurance Championship (WEC), where the technology is more directly transferable to its road cars. Other reasons include the high cost of F1 and a strategic shift towards hybrid and electric technology that they feel is better developed in other racing disciplines, such as the WEC. 
Technology transfer

• BMW's current strategy is to compete in series like the WEC where the engineering challenges, such as those in hybrid systems and long-distance durability, more closely mirror those for their production vehicles. 
• The company believes that the technology developed in F1 is too specialized and has little relevance to their road car business, making it not worth the investment compared to other racing series. 

Financial and strategic priorities

• Formula 1 is an extremely expensive sport, and after the 2009 financial crisis, BMW decided to withdraw, citing economic reasons. 
• The company prioritizes developing technologies that can be integrated into their road cars, and they feel other racing series provide a better return on investment for this goal. 

Past withdrawal

• BMW's last stint in F1 ended at the close of the 2009 season, after the global financial crisis and a shift in the company's priorities. 
• They sold their F1 team back to founder Peter Sauber at the end of 2009. 

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Will Ford ever return to F1?

NEW YORK, Feb. 3, 2023 — After more than two decades, Ford is returning to Formula 1. The iconic American automaker and Red Bull Powertrains are entering into a long-term strategic technical partnership for the development of a next-gen hybrid power unit to be used from the 2026 Formula 1 season onward.

What happened to the Ford F1 team?

Jim Farley, President and CEO of Ford Motor Company, added: "Since we announced our return to F1 with Red Bull, the Ford team have been working night and day to get ready for 2026. But this is about so much more than just the racing.