Dearborn Employees Welcome Red Bull Racing Driver Daniel Ricciardo, Celebrate Ford’s Return to Formula 1

Written By By Paul Kampe
Feb 16, 2023
<2 MIN READ

Ford hasn’t competed in Formula 1 in nearly 20 years, and the company won’t make its return until 2026, but fans are already excited about the move. Days after Ford announced it is returning to the series through a technical partnership, nearly 200 employees – many decked out in racing attire – filled the WHQ Café Conference rooms to hear from Ford Performance Motorsports Global Director Mark Rushbrook and Red Bull Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo.

Ford is partnering with Red Bull Powertrains to develop the next-generation hybrid power unit that will supply engines to two Formula 1 teams beginning in 2026. Ford remains the third most successful engine manufacturer in F1 history despite leaving the sport in 2004.

Ricciardo’s visit to Ford’s Dearborn campus also included meeting with executives, as well as track time with Ford vehicles and a visit to the company’s design studios. Sportscaster Randy Scott from ESPN moderated the discussion. During the conversation, Rushbrook spoke about the company’s decision to return to the series, citing the two-way technology transfer that occurs between racing and production vehicles, as well as the marketing opportunity that comes with joining a globally popular racing league. He said the timing felt right and that the chemistry with Red Bull Racing was apparent early on.

“You have to have the right partner and the same goals in any series where you race,” he said. “We were pretty confident from that first discussion that it was going to be a match.”

Ricciardo talked about returning to Red Bull Racing after four years with other teams. He will assist Red Bull with testing and simulation work as its third driver. Although he will be a backup driver this season, Ricciardo said he’s happy to be back with the team and called his new role a “perfect balance.”

“I’m in a good place, and I’m looking forward to working with the team again,” he said. “I’ve gone through a tough two years. There were times when I didn’t want to see a racetrack. … I knew I needed time off, but I knew I wanted to race again. That fire is still there, but it needed a rest.”

While taking questions from employees, Ricciardo, a noted NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt fan, was gifted a No. 3 jersey bearing the name of the legendary driver. Click to Enlarge

Photo courtesy of Brody Berry.

While taking questions from employees, Ricciardo, a noted NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt fan, was gifted a No. 3 jersey bearing the name of the legendary driver. Brody Berry, a trailering application engineer at Ford, grew up watching and attending NASCAR events with his father. They were both fans of Earnhardt, so when Berry started watching F1 in 2015, he was immediately drawn to Ricciardo’s driving style and personality. Ricciardo chose his racing number, 3, to honor Earnhardt, known as “The Intimidator” for his aggressive approach, which led him to seven Cup Series championships.

“Daniel has always honored Dale’s legacy wearing vintage No. 3 shirts and even doing a special helmet in Dale’s signature style,” Berry said. “I gave him the jersey because (Daniel has) given me endless entertainment on and off the track, and I knew he probably hadn’t seen one like this before.”

Kyle Markland, a Ford College Graduate in Research and Advanced Engineering, has been following F1 for several years, taking particular interest in Red Bull Racing a couple of years ago. He was seated in the front row to see Ricciardo, his first encounter with a driver from the series he likes to watch with friends and family.

“This is a big point of pride for the company, and it’s especially great for me because this is my favorite sport,” he said. “It’s cool to see the company that I work for is participating. It’s just icing on the cake that Ford is partnering with Red Bull, my favorite team. I already have that allegiance, and it feels so congruent.”

The event also appealed to casual Formula 1 fans like Kevin Krawczyk, from Marketing Sales and Service, who said he appreciated Ricciardo’s honesty. 

“There was great energy,” he said. “Daniel is a super funny guy, and he’s got a great personality. … I really enjoyed how open and candid he was about where he is in his racing career and what he’s doing right now.”

Following the event, Ricciardo said he was humbled by the support from employees who attended, adding that the audience speaks to Ford’s standing in motorsports and the enthusiasm attendees have for racing.

“It’s kind of overwhelming in a way,” he said, recognizing the company pride that was apparent in many employees. “I’m sure none of them have probably ever met me or anything, but there’s that level of interest and enthusiasm, and just love for F1 is huge right now. I’ve been in the sport a long time, and they know I’m not on the grid this year and there’s still this kind of welcome – it’s pretty surreal.”

Click here to read more from Rushbrook about the timing and benefits of Ford’s return to Formula 1. 

  • Click to Enlarge
    Ricciardo’s visit to Ford’s Dearborn campus also included meeting with executives, as well as track time with Ford vehicles and a visit to the company’s design studios.
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