Ford’s glittering Formula 1 history

Ford will make a celebrated return to Formula 1 alongside Red Bull Powertrains as the power unit supplier of Red Bull and AlphaTauri in 2026.

The news of the American motoring giant coming back to the pinnacle of the sport after 19 years away is a big deal, but it is the latest chapter of a glittering F1 history.

The “Blue Oval” has recorded 176 Grand Prix wins, 13 drivers championships and 10 constructors championships, making it the third most successful engine manufacturer in F1 history only behind Ferrari and Mercedes.

Ford last competed in F1 with Jaguar in 2004. Christian Klien locks up under braking during the team’s last race at Brazil. Photo by Rainer Schlegelmilch

Ironically Ford’s last appearance in F1 was with Jaguar, the team purchased by Red Bull ahead of the 2005 season. The respective logos of the car manufacturer and energy drinks company have even been positioned next to each other in the past on Sauber’s F1 cars in 1995 to 1996.

Ford entered Formula 1 in 1967 and enjoyed a dream start, winning 12 of the following 15 world drivers titles with legendary names from Jackie Stewart to Alan Jones at the wheel.

In partnership with Cosworth Racing, Ford unveiled the now legendary DFV engine, which became the most successful F1 race engine of all time.

It was destined for success, winning its first Grand Prix thanks to the serene combination of Jim Clark and the Lotus 49 at Zandvoort.

Jim Clark showing some hot pace for Lotus at the 1967 British Grand Prix.

The famous Brit would win another four races including his last three Grands Prix before his tragic Formula 2 death at Hockenheim. 

Clark’s teammate Graham Hill continued the winning momentum and became the first Ford driver to be crowned world champion.

After Lotus lost exclusive rights to the sought after DFV engine, the “Blue Oval” was campaigned by Lotus, Matra and McLaren in addition to Colin Chapman’s team.

Stewart then stepped up to win a crushing title for Matra in 1969, where Ford amazingly won all 11 races and powered the top four teams.

Jochen Rindt was posthumously awarded the championship having been a winning machine in the Lotus 72 prior to his tragic accident at the Italian Grand Prix.

Stewart and Emerson Fittipaldi then shared the next four world titles as Ford’s dominance reached unprecedented heights.

Jackie Stewart fights his Tyrrell Ford around the streets of Monte Carlo in 1973.

Due to the dominance of the DFV engine, by 1973 Ferrari and BRM were the only teams on the grid without the “Blue Oval” in the back and predictably Ford-powered cars won all 15 Grands Prix that year.

However, despite winning eight of the 14 races, Ford’s hot streak came to an end in 1975 when Ferrari’s Niki Lauda secured a breakthrough world title.

This sparked an up and down battle between Ford and Ferrari as the pair took turns on top of the world.

Ford hit back in 1976, scoring 10 wins, largely thanks to James Hunt, who emerged victorious after a classic duel with the lion-hearted Lauda.

Niki Lauda and James Hunt enjoyed a friendly, but fearsome battle for the 1976 F1 title. Image: LAT

Although Lauda and Ferrari returned to the top step in 1977, the “Blue Oval” continued to collect regular trophies and was back to its dominant best by 1978 with the peerless Lotus 79 driven to glory by Mario Andretti doing the damage.

A Ferrari title to Jody Scheckter was followed by Australian Jones, who drove Williams to its first dual drivers and constructors double.

Alan Jones lifts the trophy marking his victory at the 1980 USA Grand Prix, which also sealed his championship win.

The Aussie’s 1980 glory returned Ford back to winning ways with Nelson Piquet and Keke Rosberg also being crowned “Blue Oval” world champions.

But Rosberg’s 1982 triumph proved to be the end of the Ford golden era as Turbo powered cars reigned supreme by the mid 1980’s.

The all-conquering Ford Cosworth DFV engine pictured in 1967.

The long-serving Ford DFY engine finally completed its last grand Prix with Tyrrell in 1985 as new leading teams and engines emerged.

Benetton Ford established itself as a fighter behind the dominant McLaren Honda and brought the American manufacturer back to the top step after a six-year absence thanks to Alessandro Nannini’s Suzuka success in 1989. Piquet also collected a handful of wins in the early 1990’s

But it took the arrival of Michael Schumacher to get the championship trophy back to Ford.

A sparkling Michael Schumacher (centre) sneaks past Mika Hakkinen and Jean Alesi in the Benetton Ford on his way to his famous maiden Grand Prix win at Belgium in 1992. Image:
Sutton Motorsport Images Catalogue

After showing immense promise with famous wins at Belgium and Portugal in 1992 and 1993 respectively in seasons dominated by Williams, Schumacher crushed the opposition at the start of 1994.

No one could catch the German and the Ford Zetec-R 3.5 V8 engine as car #5 won six of the first seven Grands Prix.

The 1994 title ultimately went down to the wire with Schumacher securing his first of seven titles after a memorable clash with rival Damon Hill at the Adelaide finale.

With Benetton switching to Renault power in the following season, 1994 proved to be Ford’s final championship.

Michael Schumacher in his maiden championship year with Benetton Ford in 1994.

After some lean years which included Max Verstappen’s father Jos driving a Red Bull sponsored and Ford powered Sauber, a famous name was required to get the American giant back to the podium.

The Stewart name returned to F1, with Jackie now the owner of a constructor bearing his name and carrying Ford power. The Stewart team secured a memorable double podium with Johnny Herbert leading home Rubens Barrichello.

Winner Johnny Herbert, team principal Jackie Stewart and third place finisher Rubens Barrichello celebrate on the podium after their stunning 1999 European Grand Prix success at Nürburgring. Photo by LAT Images

The white Stewart cars became Jaguar green in 2000, while Jordan also picked up Ford power three years later.

Although Jaguar was the flagship team, it was plucky little Jordan that secured Ford’s 176th and final Grand Prix win in 2003 when Giancarlo Fisichella walked on water in Brazil.

But a year later Ford’s successful journey came to an end when the struggling Jaguar outfit was purchased by Red Bull.

Giancarlo Fisichella navigating a wet Autódromo José Carlos Pace to Ford’s last win at the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix. Image: Motorsport Images

Led by Christian Horner the team has become the modern-day powerhouse of Formula 1 with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen pushing the team to six world drivers titles.

With a combined total of 268 Grand Prix wins and 19 drivers championships, the new Ford and Red Bull partnership could ensure the “Blue Oval” regains its place at the top of the F1 world when the new engine rules kick in from 2026.

Time will tell, but history is on its side.

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