The news this afternoon is epochal. After a 20-year absence, Ford will return to Formula 1 from 2026 as an engine partner to Red Bull Racing. The American manufacturer will team up with Red Bull Powertrains to build the engine that will propel the Milton Keynes single-seaters and the AlphaTauri from 2026 to at least 2030.
News that didn’t just make the parties involved and Formula 1 enthusiasts happy. Shortly after the official announcement made by Red Bull on the day of the presentation of the RB19 in New York, the first thick reactions arrived.
The first to comment on the new bond was Stefano Domenicali. The president and CEO of Formula 1 underlined how the road taken on the regulations for 2026 has opened the door to a return as prestigious as that of the blue oval brand.
“Ford is a global brand with an incredible automotive and racing heritage and sees the tremendous value our platform delivers to over half a billion fans around the world.”
“Our commitment to be Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and to introduce sustainable fuels into F1 cars from 2026 is another important reason for their decision to enter F1. We believe our sport offers an opportunity and a unprecedented reach and we can’t wait for the Ford logo to zip around iconic F1 circuits from 2026.”
Domenicali’s words were echoed by those of the president of the International Automobile Federation, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. In fact, he too implicitly addressed an important emphasis on the rules that will be introduced in just under three years in the world-class Circus.
“Few manufacturers have as celebrated a motorsport history as Ford, so their return to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship is excellent news.”
“It further underscores the success of the 2026 Power Unit Regulations, which has a commitment to sustainability and showmanship at its heart, and of course increased interest from the United States is important to the continued growth of the world’s top automotive category.”
