Ford is about to tear up the playbook with a brand-new sports car set for debut at its Formula 1 launch event on January 15th, 2026. This marks a significant moment: it’s the first entirely new performance model since Ford consolidated its racing and road car divisions.
The project signals a deeper integration of cutting-edge racing technology into everyday Ford vehicles, according to Mark Rushbrook, Ford Racing chief. The new car will spearhead an entirely fresh line of models, following the restructuring of Ford Performance aimed at bridging the gap between track dominance and consumer cars.
While Ford is keeping details under wraps, a tantalizing glimpse has been offered by Ford CEO Jim Farley. He dropped hints about a supercharged Ranger Raptor pickup truck boasting over 1000 horsepower – inspired by the brand’s formidable Dakar Rally champion.
Farley teased the possibility of this “supercar for gravel,” telling Bloomberg that no one had ever attempted such a beast before. It would be a vehicle capable of conquering challenging terrains with blistering speed and power.
Adding fuel to the speculation fire are sightings of prototypes believed to be an upgraded Mustang GTD supercar undergoing rigorous testing at Germany’s infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack.
Word on the street is that Ford aims to dethrone General Motors’ Corvette ZR1, which recently snatched the record for American cars on the challenging track. However, Ford’s description of this upcoming car as “all-new” suggests it won’t be a mere variant of an existing model but rather a completely unique creation designed from the ground up.
Beyond the tantalizing performance car reveal, Ford will use its January event to shed more light on its revolutionary Formula 1 powertrain. This engine will propel both Red Bull and AlphaTauri racing cars in the upcoming season.
