Ford has announced their return to Formula 1 racing, citing growing popularity and a more sustainable future as primary motivators.

The Blue Oval has set their sights on a resurrection for the 2026 season, over twenty years since leaving the sport in 2004. As F1 continues to gain more and more traction with audiences everywhere, including the United States, and as the sport swings more towards electrification and sustainable fuels, Ford is ready for a return.

“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 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.”

Teaming up for the return of Ford is Red Bull Powertrains, agreeing to a long term strategic technical partnership for the development of a next-gen hybrid power unit to be used in the 2026 Formula 1 season and onwards. Red Bull Ford will provide these units to Oracle Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri teams from 2026 till at least 2030. The system includes a 350 kW electric motor and a new combustion engine powered by sustainable fuels. This falls in line with new tech regulations F1 intends for the 2026 season, and as the sport pushes towards a net-zero carbon future by 2030.

Despite 20-ish years of absence, Ford remains the third most successful engine manufacturer in F1 history, citing 10 Constructors’ championships and 13 Drivers’ championships. Much of the brand’s success comes from the 60’s and 70’s, though Ford-powered vehicles and drivers were seeing success into the 90’s. 2003 saw the last win for a Ford-powered car in F1– Giancarlo Fisichella won the Brazilian Grand Prix in his Jordan Ford.

“There are few manufacturers who have such a celebrated motor sport history as Ford, so to see them coming back to the FIA Formula One World Championship is excellent news,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “It further underlines the success of the 2026 Power Unit Regulations that have at their heart a commitment to both sustainability and spectacle, and of course having more interest from the United States is important for the continued growth of the world’s top motor sport category.”

As Formula 1 continues to grow, including a planned race this year in Las Vegas, we look forward to seeing Ford– and perhaps even more manufacturers– jumping into the fray.