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Ford Considered F1 Team Takeover Before Partnering with Red Bull
Ford has disclosed that it explored the possibility of acquiring a Formula 1 team before ultimately deciding to enter the sport as a partner to Red Bull. The American automotive giant will officially join Red Bull in 2026 as the Milton Keynes-based team transitions to producing its own power units.
This partnership marks Ford’s return to the pinnacle of motorsport for the first time since 2004 when it supplied engines to Jordan and operated the Jaguar team before selling it to Red Bull. With a rich history in Formula 1, Ford has played a significant role in the sport’s evolution, securing its first championship with Graham Hill and Lotus in 1968. Over the decades, the manufacturer has contributed to 10 Constructors’ Championships and 13 Drivers’ Championships, making it the third most successful engine supplier in F1 history.
Ford’s Interest in Team Ownership
In an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com, Mark Rushbrook, Ford’s Global Director of Motorsports, revealed that before committing to Red Bull, the company had seriously considered taking over a Formula 1 team. According to Rushbrook, both Ford and various teams in the paddock explored potential collaborations, and a full acquisition was one of the possibilities on the table.
“Before we had this deal with Red Bull, there were a lot of discussions going on,” Rushbrook explained. “Some Formula 1 teams approached us, and we also reached out to some teams. We needed to assess the landscape and the different ways we could enter the sport.”
He admitted that Ford initially evaluated the feasibility of owning and operating an F1 team entirely on its own. However, after analyzing the situation, the company realized that this approach did not align with its expertise.
“We even looked at the idea of buying a team outright,” he said. “But history has shown that running an F1 team is not our core strength. If you look at what this team [Red Bull] has become—what started as Stewart Grand Prix and later became Jaguar—we realized that full team ownership wasn’t the best path for us.”
Ford’s Motorsport Strategy and the Red Bull Partnership
Ford has a long-standing tradition of partnering with teams across various motorsport disciplines rather than operating its own teams. The company has successfully collaborated with top names such as Dick Johnson Racing in the Australian Supercars Championship, Penske in NASCAR, Bob Tasca in the NHRA, and M-Sport in the World Rally Championship.
Rushbrook highlighted that Ford prefers to leverage its strengths in engine development and technology while working alongside expert teams rather than managing the day-to-day operations of a racing outfit.
“In motorsport, we don’t own or run teams,” he emphasized. “We always form partnerships. You can go in and develop your own power unit independently, or you could simply be a customer team, but that wouldn’t give Ford a meaningful investment in the sport.”
Once the opportunity to work with Red Bull emerged, Ford quickly realized that this was the ideal route into Formula 1. The partnership ensures that Ford will play a crucial role in Red Bull’s engine development without the complexities of team ownership.
“As soon as we saw this opportunity, it became clear that this was the right decision,” Rushbrook stated. “We are partnering with what we believe is the best team in the series. Our strengths complement each other, and for Ford, this is the best way to re-enter F1.”
Ford’s Future in Formula 1
By aligning with Red Bull, Ford is set to benefit from the team’s proven expertise and championship-winning pedigree while contributing its engineering knowledge to the next generation of F1 power units. The collaboration positions Ford to play a key role in the sport’s shift toward hybrid technology while maintaining its philosophy of strategic partnerships.
Although the American manufacturer once considered acquiring a team outright, it ultimately chose a more collaborative approach—one that aligns with its history and strengths in motorsport. With Red Bull as a partner, Ford is preparing for a strong return to Formula 1, set to begin in 2026 when the new engine regulations take effect.
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