Ford’s celebrated collaboration with Red Bull Powertrains isn’t just about the automaker’s return to Formula 1 after more than two decades. It also signifies Blue Oval’s all-out venture into motorsport.
Ford will be the only automaker participating in multiple motorsports by 2026. From grassroots racing to Formula 1, including WEC and IMSA competitions, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Mustang GT3. The company will also be represented at the WRC with the M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1, the Baja 1000 with the Ranger Raptor and Bronco, and NASCAR, NHRA, and Supercars with the Mustang.
Electrification, of course, is part of the plan. In line with newly formed Red Bull Ford, the automaker illustrates its belief in the relationship between racing and producing superior products. The infographic above shows a prototype of the upcoming electric pickup under “EV Performance Demonstrators”, which is assumed to be based on the F-150 Lightning. The other two silhouettes are the upcoming Mustang race car and the already revealed Ranger Raptor.
If the EV Performance Demonstration sounds familiar to you, that’s because we’ve seen two – the Mustang Mach-E 1400, which comes with seven electric motors that produce a total of 1,400 horsepower (1,044 kilowatts), and the 2,000-hp (1,491 kW) SuperVan 4 electric , which can go from 0 to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) running in less than two seconds.
Details about the new demonstrator based on the F-150 Lightning, including its power output and upgrades, are still unclear. However, it is expected to be as impressive in performance as the other two EV Performance Demonstrators.
Of note, Ford and Red Bull Powertrains will start developing state-of-the-art power units from 2023 onwards – all for the upcoming F1 technical regulations. This power unit will include a 350 kW electric motor and a combustion engine capable of running on fully sustainable fuels, with a goal of being ready for the 2026 season. Ford will offer its technical expertise in areas that could contribute to the success of the World Championship team, including the development of the combustion engine , battery cell technology, electric motor technology, power unit control software and analytics.
