Ford made a double announcement on Friday. The first, his return to Formula 1 from 2026. And not long after, came the second piece of news, something that was an open secret and accepted for days: Ford and Red Bull Powertrains (the company that develops, manufactures and maintains power units for the Red Bull Formula 1 team) have entered into a technical and strategic partnership for the creation of the next generation of hybrid engines which will drive the cars of the energy companies in F1 (Red Bull and AlphaTauri) with the introduction of the new engine regulation from 2026 and until at least 2030.
The Red Bull-Ford collaboration will become a reality, something very romantic, because Ford became a constructor in 2000 by buying the Jaguar team, but in 2004 he said goodbye to F1 by selling his team to Red Bull. From that base, the Austrian firm created a champion frame. In fact, Red Bull fitted Ford-Cosworth engines in 2005, its first year in F1. More than two decades after Ford’s farewell and its sale of Jaguar to Red Bull, the mythical American brand will return with Red Bull with a union that wants to dominate the next era of F1.
The Porsche deal didn’t materialize and Ford came along
After the announcement of goodbye to Honda, the Austrians created their own engine company (Red Bull Powertrains) at its factory in Milton Keynes with the hiring of hundreds of technicians to continue updating its existing power units to continue competing at maximum performance until the change of propellants in 2026. For this, the agreement between all the teams to freeze the current F1 engines is key. from last year until the arrival of the new power units, which allowed Red Bull to continue working in its factory with its new company and the acquisition of part of the Honda staff. But at the same time, Red Bull had to find a partner to build new power units from 2026 onwards.
The current F1 champion team is close to closing a deal Porsche, but the German brand wants more power in the possible association than Red Bull is willing to give it, with the sole desire to be the master of its machines from its own factory and to have total decision-making power . The possible deal was blown up and never closed no matter how advanced it was. And finally, that position that Porsche should occupy is for Ford.
Let’s work now for 2026
Ford will start working as early as 2023 with the Austrians in their direct support in Milton Keynes, on the new Red Bull Powertrains (it will be called Red Bull Ford Powertrains), for the design and creation of new hybrid engines to be used in Red Bull cars from 2026.
“It’s great to welcome Ford”
“This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Ford motorsports history that began when my great-grandfather won a race that helped launch our company,” said Bill Ford., executive president of the American brand. “Ford, along with 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.”
Starting in 2023, Ford and Red Bull Powertrains will work to develop a power unit that will be part of the new technical regulation (2026), which includes a 350kW electric motor and a new combustion engine capable of accepting fully sustainable fuel, which ready for the 2026 season. “Returning to Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing is about where we are heading as a company: increasingly electric and modern cars and experiences,” said Jim Farley, president and CEO of Ford Motor Company. “F1 will be an incredibly profitable platform to innovate, share ideas and technology and engage with tens of millions of new customers,” he added.
“It’s exciting to welcome Ford back to Formula 1 through this partnership,” said Christian Horner, Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO. “As an independent engine manufacturer, being able to benefit from the expertise of an OEM like Ford puts us in a good position against the competition. It is a manufacturer rich in automotive history that spans generations. From Jim Clark to Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, the race speaks for itself. For us as Red Bull Powertrains to open the next chapter of that dynasty, as Red Bull Ford, is very exciting. 2026 is still far away, but for us the work has already begun as we look to a new future and a continuous evolution of Oracle Red Bull Racing”, reasoned the leader of the energy drink team.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
