Amidst claims the Blue Oval might seem on the engine at the back of the Crimson Bull this season, Ford might but return to F1 as a producer.
For some weeks now there was hypothesis that the well-known Ford emblem may seem on the engines within the vehicles of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, considerably ironic as the facility items are the work of Honda.
Nonetheless, whereas we wait to see if the rumours show true, the American big shouldn’t be ruling out returning to F1 as a producer in its personal proper.
Till the 2004 French Grand Prix, the Blue Oval was essentially the most profitable engine producer within the historical past of F1, although the Cosworth engine that powered drivers to 12 titles and constructors to 10 – successful 176 Grands Prix alongside the way in which – was basically an all-British affair, with Mike Costin and Keith Duckworth mainly given £100,000 by Ford and advised to get on with it.
In 2010, a brand new Cosworth was a part of the carrot aimed toward attractive new groups to the game as Max Mosley continued his bid to introduce a funds, nonetheless, with the FIA president failing to get his manner and the spending struggle persevering with the three new groups – Hispania, Lotus and Virgin – finally exited stage left as did Cosworth.
Whereas Honda continues to supply help to Crimson Bull Powertrains it’s understood that there’s nothing stopping Crimson Bull rebadging the facility items, certainly with back-to-back titles it could possibly be a profitable deal for the Austrian group, and in latest months Ford has been linked with such a deal.
In an additional twist, Honda, which had beforehand introduced its departure from F1, aside from to supply IP and help to Crimson Bull till 2025, has registered its entry for the (but to be confirmed) 2026 engine laws, although it’s unclear whether or not this is able to be in partnership with an present group, doing an Audi and shopping for into an present group or re-entering the game in its personal proper.
In the meantime, so as to add additional spice, Mark Rushbrook, the International Director of Ford Efficiency, has admitted that the American big is pondering a return to the grid.
“Formulation 1 is actually sturdy and rising, each in america and globally,” he stated, based on Motorsport.com. “What they’ve accomplished effectively is create nice racing and nice competitors.
“It is nonetheless the top, however they have been capable of attain new audiences with issues like Drive to Survive,” he added.
“As an organization we go racing for innovation, tech switch, the training alternative, but in addition for advertising and marketing causes as effectively,” he continued. “It is shifted for certain, and it undoubtedly requires consideration.”
Requested if this meant a potential entry in 2026, he stated: “We do not touch upon hypothesis, nevertheless it’s the identical with all these sequence which might be on the market. It is our accountability to review them and perceive them, after which make choices on whether or not it is smart or would not make sense.”
