Ford and Cadillac Clash Over F1 Commitment Ahead of 2026
Ford hit back at Cadillac's claim that their Red Bull partnership is just marketing, pointing out Cadillac's reliance on Ferrari engines while defending their own deep technical integration.
A war of words has erupted between Ford and Cadillac regarding their respective Formula 1 entries for 2026. Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss dismissed Ford's partnership with Red Bull as a mere marketing deal, prompting a sharp rebuke from Ford executives who labeled the criticism "patently absurd" and highlighted Cadillac's initial reliance on Ferrari power units.
Why it matters:
This public dispute highlights the intense rivalry brewing between American automotive giants as they prepare to enter F1. It underscores the different strategies manufacturers are adopting—either building from scratch or partnering with existing winners—and sets a competitive tone before the new regulations even take effect.
The Details:
- The Opening Salvo: Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss claimed there is a massive difference between Cadillac's full ownership of its team and Ford's deal with Red Bull, suggesting Ford is just "slapping a logo" on a car.
- Ford's Rebuttal: Bill Ford, Executive Chairman, laughed off the suggestion as "patently absurd," countering that Cadillac will race with Ferrari engines initially, whereas Ford is co-developing a power unit with Red Bull.
- Technical Depth: Will Ford, GM of Ford Racing, emphasized the creation of "Red Bull Ford Powertrains" as a true technical merger, utilizing Ford's R&D to build the best engine on the grid, rather than a simple branding exercise.
Looking Ahead:
As the 2026 season approaches, this verbal sparring suggests the competition off-track will be just as fierce as on-track. Cadillac plans to build its own engine by 2029, but until then, the debate over who is the more "authentic" American entry will likely continue to fuel this transatlantic rivalry.