Having give up F1 on the finish of the 2004 season, when it pulled the plug on the Jaguar operation and its badging of Cosworth engines, Ford introduced on Friday that will probably be coming again for the brand new engine period that begins in 2026.
Its early morning announcement solely made reference to its plans to enter F1 once more, and it didn’t element which groups it might be working with.
Nevertheless, as Autosport first revealed again in December, Ford has been in talks with Purple Bull for a lot of months. It’s understood {that a} deal is in place and is predicted to be introduced through the Milton Keynes-based staff’s automotive launch later.
Purple Bull is nicely superior in its design of an F1 energy unit for 2026 and has been open in regards to the want for a producer associate to supply technical enter and doubtlessly badge the mission.
Perception: Why Ford can provide Purple Bull what Porsche couldn’t in F1
Talking about Ford’s return to F1, govt chair Invoice Ford mentioned: “That is the beginning of an exhilarating new chapter in Ford’s motorsports story that started when my great-grandfather gained a race that helped launch our firm.
“Ford is returning to the top of the game, bringing Ford’s lengthy custom of innovation, sustainability and electrification to one of many world’s most seen phases.”
Ford has cited two key components in its resolution to return to F1 – the expansion of the grand prix racing, particularly in the US, since Liberty Media’s takeover, plus the rising function that electrical energy will play within the 2026 energy items.
The choice by Ford to decide to grand prix racing has been welcomed by F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, who joined the corporate for its announcement on Friday.
Ford is predicted to launch a tie-up with Purple Bull – re-uniting two companions of the Sauber staff in 1995
Picture by: Motorsport Pictures
Domenicali mentioned: “The information at the moment that Ford is coming to System 1 from 2026 is nice for the game and we’re excited to see them be part of the unbelievable automotive companions already in System 1.
“Ford is a worldwide model with an unbelievable heritage in racing and the automotive world and so they see the massive worth that our platform gives with over half a billion followers world wide.
“Our dedication to be Web Zero Carbon by 2030 and to introduce sustainable fuels within the F1 vehicles from 2026 can also be an essential purpose for his or her resolution to enter F1.
“We imagine that our sport gives the chance and attain in contrast to another and we can’t look forward to the Ford emblem to be racing spherical F1’s iconic circuits from 2026.”
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem reckoned that Ford’s resolution vindicated F1’s change of engine guidelines for 2026.
“There are few producers who’ve such a celebrated motorsport historical past as Ford, so to see them coming again to the FIA System 1 world championship is good news,” he mentioned.
“It additional underlines the success of the 2026 Energy Unit Rules which have at their coronary heart a dedication to each sustainability and spectacle, and naturally having extra curiosity from the US is essential for the continued progress of the world’s high motorsport class. “
Ford is likely one of the most profitable producers within the historical past of F1, having gained ten constructors’ championships and 13 drivers’ championships.
