Red Bull Racing, Ford Reveal 2026 F1 Cars

DETROIT – Ford and Red Bull took the wraps off their 2026 Formula 1 cars at a star-studded event in the Motor City, underscoring the Blue Oval’s role as powertrain supplier in the world’s most exclusive and expensive racing series.

With ace driver Max Verstappen, new Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies, and F1 boss Stefano Domenicali on hand, the Oracle Red Bull cars featured a white outline around the bull, revised accents and glossier blue paint, drawing praise from the drivers. The Visa CashApp cars keep their white paint, but also have more prominent bits of blue, a natural given Ford’s backing.

Ford replaced Honda as the Red Bull engine supplier for 2026, and it’s been intent on highlighting its newfound F1 commitment, something CEO Jim Farley and Executive Chairman Bill Ford touted at the event.

The reveal also featured former F1 star Daniel Riccardo, celebrity podcaster and actor Dax Shepard (a Michigan native, noted car enthusiast and one-time press car jockey), ESPN anchor Nicole Briscoe, and rapper Big Sean.

The event, attended by hundreds of Ford employees, executives and the media, was held in a massive century-old train station on the edge of downtown that Ford restored and repurposed as an innovation hub.

Ford’s livery reveal was the second in a week in Detroit, as GM’s Cadillac F1 team showed off silver and black livery this week at the Detroit Auto Show. The one-off Cadillac livery will be used for testing next month, but it isn’t the final team kit.

With Ford as an engine supplier and GM’s Cadillac brand backing a team effort, America’s two most prominent car companies have taken their rivalry to Formula 1, which has led to notable cross-town sniping and given the normally product-focused auto show week a bit of racing tension.

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