Ford Returns to Formula 1 After 21 Years with Red Bull

After two decades away from the track, Ford is roaring back into Formula 1 with one of the sport's most dominant teams.

The American automaker announced its return to F1 through a partnership with Red Bull Powertrains, starting with the 2026 season. Ford will power cars driven by reigning champion Max Verstappen and rising star Isack Hadjar, marking the end of a 21-year absence from the sport.

Ford's Formula 1 legacy runs deep. The company stands as the third most successful engine manufacturer in F1 history, with 176 race wins trailing only Ferrari and Mercedes. Those victories came alongside 13 Drivers' Championships and 10 Constructors' Championships.

The Ford Cosworth DFV engine, introduced in 1967, became the stuff of racing legend. Driver Jim Clark won its debut race at the Dutch Grand Prix, power-sliding his Lotus 49 to victory. That engine went on to become the most successful in Formula 1 history, winning 155 races and powering champions like Jackie Stewart, James Hunt, and Mario Andretti.

The DFV revolutionized the sport by giving smaller teams access to competitive power. Privateer racing operations could build their own chassis, bolt on a Ford engine, and challenge the established giants like Ferrari and Alfa Romeo. Many of them won.

Ford continued its success into the 1990s. Michael Schumacher claimed his first F1 victory with a Ford-powered Benetton in 1992 and won his first world championship with Ford engines in 1994. The company's last victory came in 2003 before selling its Jaguar team to Red Bull and exiting the sport in 2005.

The Bright Side

The timing of Ford's return couldn't be more interesting. The 2026 season introduces new regulations focused on sustainable fuels and increased electrification, aligning perfectly with Ford's push toward electric and hybrid vehicles. What started as a partnership between Ford and Cosworth in 1967 has come full circle, with Ford now rejoining the very team it once owned.

Red Bull has dominated recent seasons with Verstappen behind the wheel, and Ford's engineering expertise could help maintain that success under the sport's new technical rules. The partnership combines American manufacturing power with European racing excellence, bringing together decades of motorsport knowledge.

Ford's return proves that sometimes the best stories include a second act.