Back in December, it was reported that Ford was looking into a sponsorship deal with Red Bull after the Formula One racing team’s highly publicized deal with Porsche fell through. Now, there is mounting evidence to suggest that the American automaker in interested in finding a way into the open-wheel racing series.
Speaking to Motorsport, Mark Rushbrook, the head of Ford Performance, said that the recent growth of the sport, and its increasing recognition in the U.S. make it an attractive prospect for the blue oval.
Asked about the Red Bull rumors specifically, Rushbrook answered that Ford doesn’t “comment on speculation, but it’s the same with all these series that are out there. It’s our responsibility to study them and understand them, and then make a decision on whether it makes sense or doesn’t make sense.”
More: Ford Reportedly Interested In Sponsoring Red Bull F1 Team
Earlier reports suggested that, unlike Porsche, whose deal with Red Bull was allegedly scuppered by the F1 team out of fear that the automaker was interested in taking over too much of the team, Ford simply wanted a sponsorship deal with the newly minted Red Bull powertrains division.
Indeed, upcoming rules mandating that F1 engines use synthetic fuels, in an attempt to make the sport more sustainable, were noted by Rushbrook as an attractive angle for Ford because it still has internal combustion engine vehicles to sell.
“Sustainable fuel definitely is something we’re interested in, but we’re already doing that in other series,” said Rushbrook. “The WRC has it, starting last year, and that’s been a great part of the story and learning for us. The vehicles we sell, some regions are shifting to full electric faster than others, some will stay ICE for longer.”
Its crosstown rival’s entry into the sport, in the form of a potential partnership between Cadillac and Andretti Global, was also noted as a point of interest for Ford. Although Rushbrook said that GM entering F1 would “not necessarily” change its stance on the sport, he admitted that “it will be interesting to watch how that progresses.”
