In a momentous announcement, Ford is returning to the pinnacle of motorsport; Formula 1. Alongside this bold rebirth, the Blue Oval will also continue to serve in several racing disciplines, from grassroots motorsport to the very best of the best. Here is a rundown of their plans from 2026 onwards.
You’ve probably heard the murmurs and seen the rumours, 2026 will be a Ford v Ferrari reboot. This time however, it won’t be a historical adaptation but on track action since the Blue Oval will be strategically partnering with Red Bull Racing in Formula 1 from 2026.
“This is the start of a thrilling new chapter in Ford’s motorsports story that began when my great-grandfather won a race that helped launch our company,” said Bill Ford, executive chair. “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.”
Related: Ford Returns to Formula 1 with Oracle Red Bull Racing
In 2026, Ford will be the only manufacturer to be competing in racing disciplines from grassroots motorsports to Formula 1 comprising WEC and IMSA including Le Mans 24 Hours with Mustang GT3, WRC with the M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1, Baja 1000 with Ranger Raptor and Bronco, and NASCAR, NHRA and Supercars with Mustang. In addition to this impressive portfolio, the automaker states it will continue to leverage its racing efforts to speed innovations, the latest technologies and software to consumers and will continue to do so through this new partnership at the pinnacle of Motorsports for future Ford electric vehicles.
Ford is also investing $50 billion to lead the EV revolution around the world. It is the number 2 EV company in the U.S. driven by the success of the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E as well as the market leader in many markets around the world with the E-Transit. Ford is working to meet increased consumer demand and deliver an annual run rate of 600,000 electric vehicles globally by the end of this year and 2 million globally by the end of 2026 as part of its Ford+ plan.
Related: Ford announces Mustang returning to Le Mans in 2024
“We are entering an exciting new age for Ford Performance,” said Farley. “We will be competing to win in F1, the pinnacle for motorsport, with Red Bull Racing. You will see the world’s most popular sports coupe, the Mustang, race from the grass roots to Australian Supercars to NASCAR to Le Mans. And will build our off-road leadership in the World Rally Championship, King of Hammers and to the Baha 1000 and more. All the while, we’ll continue to excite the world with cool demonstrators like SuperVan 4 and Mustang Mach-E 1400.”
