Ford to partner with Red Bull and AlphaTauri from 2026

©RedBull

As expected, Ford has confirmed that Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri will be its partners of choice for its return to Formula 1 in 2026.

The American automotive giant revealed earlier in the day that it would return to Grand Prix racing upon F1's introduction of its new engine regulations in 2026.

Both Red Bull and AlphaTauri will be powered by a power unit developed by Red Bull Powertrains, but team boss Christian Horner says the F1 team's engine department will receive input directly from Ford, and assist RBPT with battery and hybrid technology and much more.

"It’s fantastic to be welcoming Ford back into Formula 1 through this partnership," said Horner.

"As an independent engine manufacturer to have the ability to benefit from an OEM’s experience like Ford puts us in good stead against the competition.

"They are a manufacturer rich in motoring history that spans generations. From Jim Clark to Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, the lineage speaks for itself.

Ford CEO Jim Farley

"For us as Red Bull Powertrains to open the next chapter of that dynasty, as Red Bull Ford, is tremendously exciting.

"2026 is still a while a way but for us the work already starts as we look to a new future and a continued evolution of Oracle Red Bull Racing."

Coincidently, Ford is partnering with the very team it once sold to Red Bull, back when it raced under the Jaguar Racing banner in 2004.

"Ford’s return to Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing is all about where we are going as a company– increasingly electric, software-defined, modern vehicles and experiences," said Ford CEO Jim Farley, a racer in his own right.

"F1 will be an incredibly cost-effective platform to innovate, share ideas and technologies, and engage with tens of millions of new customers."

Read also: Ford confirms return to Formula 1 from 2026!

Ford Performance Motorsports, Mark Rushbrook, also offered some insight on how Red Bull Powertrains and its future partner will interact together.

"What they [Red Bull] already had planned in terms of the new building for the powertrains team, new dynos, test infrastructure there – that’s the right place to keep the focal point, physically," explained Rushbrook.

"Certainly we have significant global resources that can contribute to that, so where it makes sense to do work and testing in other parts of the world using our resources, we will use those.

"The people focus will also be in Milton Keynes but supported with our global team that we also have. We’ve got people in the United States, in Europe and in Australia supporting all of our racing programs.

"That will continue, and we’ll ultimately have some people on-site in Milton Keynes as part of the power unit development."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.