Red Bull Powertrains and Ford have partnered to develop the next-generation hybrid power unit that will power the Oracle Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri teams from 2026 through at least 2030.
If the start of the season is chaotic for everyone, the Ford-Red Bull engine seems to be off to a promising start.
Ford will bring its expertise in areas such as battery cell technology and electric motors, as well as powertrain control and analysis software. But this isn’t Ford’s first foray into Formula 1.
Humble Beginnings
Ford entered Formula 1 in 1963 at the United States Grand Prix with an experimental V8 engine in a Stebro driven by Peter Broeker, with no notable success. Between 1963 and 1966, only seven Grand Prix races were contested, with a brief association with McLaren in 1966.
Ford learned quietly, but the American giant realized it needed to partner with a competition specialist. The decisive alliance came in 1967 with Cosworth. Together, they developed the legendary DFV engine.
A Golden EraÂ
The V8 DFV (Double Four Valves, 3 liters, up to 466 hp) revolutionized F1 with its victory at Zandvoort in 1967 with Jim Clark driving for Lotus 49. Reliable and powerful, the engine equipped Lotus, McLaren, Tyrrell, Matra, Williams, and Brabham. The dominance lasted from 1968 to 1973.
Equipped with this engine, Lotus won 47 races, McLaren 35, and Tyrrell 23. The engine even managed to hold its own against turbo engines until 1983, in naturally aspirated form.
Champions Entered the Legend
The Ford-Cosworth partnership established numerous records for longevity and performance. It powered 59 teams over 573 Grands Prix, with Tyrrell being the most loyal with 310 Grands Prix contested with the Ford engine.
While many drivers have raced with the oval and blue logo on their suits, some legends stand out, including Jim Clark (25 wins), Graham Hill (1968 Lotus title), Jackie Stewart (3 titles in 1969 Matra, 1971-73 Tyrrell), Emerson Fittipaldi (1972 Lotus, 1974 McLaren), James Hunt (1976 McLaren), Mario Andretti (1978 Lotus), Alan Jones (1980 Williams), and Keke Rosberg (1982 Williams).
Michael Schumacher won his first title in 1994 driving a Benetton-Ford powered by the Zetec-R engine.
Jaguar, a Missed Opportunity
In 2000, Ford acquired the Stewart Grand Prix team, which competed in the World Championship from 1997 to 1999. Ford rebranded the team Jaguar to promote the British manufacturer, then owned by the American company.
In five seasons and 85 Grand Prix races, Jaguar Racing scored only 49 points and achieved two podium finishes. The team never finished higher than seventh in the constructors’ championship. Given the resources deployed, it was a failure.
In 2004, Ford sold the team to the Austrian company Red Bull. Previously a sponsor, the energy drink giant invested in its own team.
In 2026, Ford will reunite with Red Bull to begin a modern chapter in its history. In total, 13 world champions have raced with Ford-Cosworth engines.
