The executive president of the American company: “We are optimistic, but not naive. We were born thanks to racing, now the Blue Oval is back where it deserves to be”
A return that has its roots in history and family. Will Ford, general manager of Ford Racing, has entrusted the story of the return of the Blue Oval company to Formula 1, alongside Red Bull starting from this season for engine development, in a letter full of emotion and history. Words arrived on the sidelines of the world presentation, which took place on the American night of January 15th in Detroit, which Ford organized to reveal its program which will see the American group involved in motorsport in 2026, with great attention to the key event of the evening: the unveiling of the Formula 1 liveries of Red Bull and Racing Bulls. “For Ford, returning to the F1 grid is a matter of unfinished family business,” writes Will Ford, son of Bill, Ford’s executive chairman. A bond that was born in 1901, when great-great-grandfather Henry Ford won a race in his first car, the “Sweepstakes”, at Grosse Pointe: “He was not a professional driver and was not among the favorites to win that race. But that success didn’t just win him a trophy: it guaranteed the investment that allowed the Ford Motor Company to exist”.
the blue oval
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Hence the profound meaning of the return: “At Ford we didn’t limit ourselves to drawing inspiration from racing. We were born thanks to racing”. After 22 years of absence from the top category, the objective is clear: “Twenty-two years is too long. With the Australian Grand Prix in March 2026 we will return to our identity”. Will Ford also talks about the emotional impact of the new liveries: “When I first saw the Red Bull and Racing Bulls liveries I didn’t think about marketing. I saw my family name returning to a global stage.” The Ford brand, the Blue Oval, thus returns to the center of the world scene. The project passes through the development of the 2026 power unit: “We are working on a very complex engine. This is not a hobby: it is sport, made up of sleepless nights and extreme technical challenges”. For Ford, the track “is not a laboratory, but a battlefield.” Motorsport also remains a proving ground for production models: “The high-voltage systems and battery software we are perfecting for 2026 are the true basic designs of the cars and trucks our customers will drive every day,” emphasizes Will Ford. “When you buy a Ranger Raptor or an F-150, you’re buying race-earned data and determination.” From the Dakar to Le Mans, up to the Baja, every race becomes a technological investment. A concept that fits into a global vision of motorsport: “Whether it’s the Raptor T1+ in the dunes of the Dakar, the Mustangs at Le Mans or the Baja, every kilometer traveled is an investment for our customers”. Awareness of the difficulties and respect for the competition, but no step back: “We are optimistic, but not naive. The competition is fierce”. The final message is addressed to the fans and the team: “To those who have waited two decades: we are back. The Blue Oval is back where it deserves to be. Now, let’s go racing.”
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