Ford partnering with Red Bull in return to F1

The whispers of a merger between Ford and Red Bull had been the talk of Formula One for months, an intriguing storyline in a competition that knows the value of drama.

The dance went on for months — Ford suggesting its interest in returning to the series was genuine, and Red Bull open about its discussions with multiple manufacturers.

On Friday, the companies confirmed that rumors were true: Ford is reentering into Formula One to partner with Red Bull, currently the series’ top team and the employer of its reigning champion, Max Verstappen. In the new arrangement, the U.S. automaker and the Austrian drinks company will join forces to design a new power unit before the 2026 season and try to extend Red Bull’s dominance of the world’s most popular motor sports series.

A flashy New York launch confirmed the partnership, a collaboration in which Red Bull will tap Ford’s expertise in electric vehicles before a fundamental shift in engine rules for the 2026 season, when teams must become reliant on 100% sustainable fuels and, crucially, for Ford at least, greater electric power.

That looming shift has already lured German car manufacturer Audi to Formula One. Porsche, which held talks with Red Bull, is considering joining the fray, as is General Motors. Ford, which left F1 almost two decades ago, also was looking for a way back in.

“We talked to a lot of people. We met with a lot of people,” said Jim Farley, Ford’s CEO. “And as soon as we landed on Red Bull, we knew this was the right opportunity.”

Formula One race cars are propelled by what is known as a power unit, a complex bit of machinery that includes several components, including an internal combustion engine, electrical motors and a turbocharger. Red Bull had previously been supplied with power units by Honda. But it found itself facing a crisis — and needing a new partner — when Honda announced in 2020 that it would leave Formula One within a year.

An agreement has since been reached for the team to continue sourcing Honda engines through 2025, but the shock of losing its supplier focused minds at Red Bull and ended with it resolving to build its own version rather than buy one produced by or shared with a rival such as Mercedes.

“The Ford discussion felt right from the word go,” Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, said. He and Farley declined to provide financial details of their new partnership.