- Ford to partner Red Bull until at least 2030
- US car giant will provide technical input
US automaker Ford has confirmed it is entering into a technical partnership with Red Bull Racing from the start of the 2026 season.
Speculation that the US car giant was looking at a return to Formula One intensified following comments from global director of Ford Performance, Mark Rushbrook, that a possible entry “requires consideration”.
Starting in 2023, Ford will provide technical input to the Red Bull Powertrains division to construct the next-gen engines for the Red Bull and AlphaTauri teams to use from 2026.
This deal will be in place until at least the 2030 season, highlighting the draw of Formula One's new direction around sustainable fuels.
Ford is set to provide expertise in several areas of development 'including battery cell and electric motor technology as well as power unit control software and analytics', according to announcement regarding the new partnership.
“This is the start of a thrilling new chapter in Ford’s motorsports story that began when my great-grandfather [Henry Ford] won a race that helped launch our company,” said Bill Ford, the automaker's executive chairman.
“Ford, alongside world champions, Oracle Red Bull Racing, is returning to the pinnacle of the sport, bringing Ford’s long tradition of innovation, sustainability and electrification to one of the world’s most visible stages.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner added: “It’s fantastic to be welcoming Ford back into Formula One through this partnership. As an independent engine manufacturer to have the ability to benefit from an OEM’s experience like Ford puts us in good stead against the competition.
“2026 is still a while a way but for us the work already starts as we look to a new future and a continued evolution of Oracle Red Bull Racing.”