Red Bull and Racing Bulls have announced they will launch their 2026 seasons at the home of Ford in Detroit on January 15.
The first confirmed launch date of the new era of regulations will have the two Red Bull-owned teams pairing up to unveil their 2026 liveries alongside Ford Racing. Red Bull will produce its own power unit in partnership with Ford for the first time from next year, and so it will kick-off the new era in Michigan before pre-season testing starts at the end of January.
“Since we announced our return to F1 with Red Bull, the Ford team have been working night and day to get ready for 2026,” Ford president and CEO Jim Farley said. “But this is about so much more than just the racing. It is about how we use our learnings from F1 to make our cars and trucks better for our customers. What we will learn together with Red Bull will define the technologies of the future and that is what excites me most about this relationship.”
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies says the event is an important opportunity to display the significance of the Ford partnership.
“The launch of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains era represents not only a bold step into the future, but a powerful expression of what’s possible when world-class engineering, innovation, and passion come together,” Mekies said.
“To see the energy, precision, and scale behind this project is inspiring. It’s the culmination of several years of collaboration between two great names in motorsport. We’re incredibly excited to begin this new chapter, driven by the same determination and excellence that defines both Ford and Red Bull.”
Red Bull last launched its season in the United States in New York in 2023, while Racing Bulls did similar in Las Vegas a year later.
“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Ford back into the world of Formula 1,” Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer said. “With over 125 years of heritage, innovation, and absolute dedication to performance, Ford embodies the same competitive spirit that drives our team. This partnership brings together global brands united by a love of racing and a commitment to pushing boundaries.
“As a member of the Red Bull family and together with our title partners; Visa and Cash App, we see huge opportunities to join forces and connect with a new generation of fans and showcase the future of performance and mobility on a global stage. Launching this new era in Detroit, the birthplace of Ford, makes it all the more special.”
