Ford Racing Roars into 2026: Detroit Kick-off Ignites a Global Season and Our Epic F1 Return!

There are pivotal moments in Ford’s history that don’t just define a year, but shape our future. January 15, 2026, will be one such moment, as we ignite what promises to be the most ambitious and electrifying era in Ford Racing history. For the very first time, our annual Ford Racing Season Launch is coming home to Detroit, setting the stage at the majestic, recently revitalized Michigan Central Station. This iconic landmark, steeped in the city’s spirit of grit, perseverance, and undeniable love for cars, is the perfect place to kick off an epic year on the track and in the dirt. It’s a powerful statement, complementing the energy of the 2026 Detroit Auto Show happening the same week, truly making Detroit the global hub of automotive excitement.

As part of America's Race Team, we want you to join us at this historic occasion. We are offering a number of tickets to employees who will be in Detroit on Jan. 15, 2016, and one guest to attend this exclusive event at Michigan Central Station, 5-10 p.m.

Enter for a Chance to Win Tickets!

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Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Racing

We’ll be joined by a star-studded lineup of drivers, alongside our employees, dealers, media, team owners, and, of course, our passionate fans. From the thunderous roar of NASCAR to the grueling challenges of Mustang endurance sports car racing, and the relentless grit of our off-road teams tackling Dakar and Baja — every facet of Ford’s global racing prowess will be on full display. This isn’t just a launch; it’s a declaration of intent across every racing discipline, a true embodiment of the “Go Like Hell” spirit that drives us.

But the excitement doesn’t stop with our track and trail warriors. For the first time ever, fans worldwide will also get an exclusive sneak peek at an all-new Ford Racing production road car — a testament to how deeply we’re integrating our racing innovation into the vehicles you drive every day. The racetrack is our ultimate proving ground, fast-tracking developments that will soon be under the hood and in the chassis of your next Ford. Our vision for Ford Racing is not just a concept; it's a tangible reality, and we genuinely cannot wait to share the true scale of our ambition.

The evening at Michigan Central will begin with the Ford Racing Season Launch and then shift gears into Oracle Red Bull Racing’s season kickoff event, which draws millions of viewers across the world. There, Red Bull will unveil the stunning liveries of the race cars that will carry Ford’s iconic blue oval back into Formula 1 after a 22-year hiatus. For the very first time, Red Bull will introduce both of their Formula 1 teams at a single event. And Ford is at the absolute heart of this groundbreaking project.

This Red Bull 2026 season launch isn’t just an event; it’s the culmination of a multi-year journey, a celebration of relentless dedication. It marks the official introduction of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains unit – the beating heart of Ford’s re-entry into the pinnacle of global motorsport. With Formula 1 experiencing unprecedented global growth, attracting a new, diverse fanbase, and the 2026 regulations pushing boundaries with sustainable fuels and electric power, the technical challenge is immense. It’s perfectly aligned with Ford’s vision for the future of automotive performance and innovation, where efficiency and cutting-edge propulsion define the next generation of vehicles.

Since the moment we announced our return to F1 with Red Bull, our teams have been working tirelessly, day and night, to prepare for 2026. But this partnership transcends the racetrack. It’s about leveraging the extreme demands of F1 to accelerate innovation, ultimately making our Ford cars and trucks even better for our customers. The technologies we will develop and refine alongside Red Bull will directly shape the future of mobility, and that, more than anything, fuels our excitement for this collaboration.

Our decision to return to Formula 1 was driven by a single, non-negotiable requirement: finding a partner who shares Ford’s DNA – an unyielding desire to compete and win. In Red Bull, we found that match. Their audacious, championship-winning culture is a phenomenal complement to Ford’s 125-year legacy of racing excellence.

The entire Ford Racing team is primed and ready to take on the world in 2026. We invite you to join us on every step of this journey as we strive to bring the Ford blue oval back to the top step of podiums across the globe. It’s time for Ford Racing to take on the world’s most iconic racetracks and challenge the very best. We are more than ready for this challenge, and we can't wait to kick off this incredible season in January. We'll be sharing much more about the details of the event and how to watch in the weeks to come, so stay tuned!

Mark Rushbrook is global director of Ford Racing.