Ford Marks 125 Years of Racing with Derby Debut and F1 Return

*TL;DR: Ford celebrated 125 years of racing by serving as the Official Horsepower of the Kentucky Derby and seeing its Red Bull‑powered Formula 1 car finish fifth in Miami, while the team sits fourth in the constructors’ standings with 30 points.

Context Ford’s motorsport program returned to the spotlight the first weekend of May, linking two iconic American spectacles. At Churchill Downs, the automaker was named the Official Horsepower of the Kentucky Derby, a nod to its historic “Sweepstakes” win in 1901. The following day, Ford‑powered Red Bull Racing competed in the Miami Grand Prix, the first U.S. Formula 1 race of the season.

Key Facts - Ford’s branding appeared throughout Derby week, including a display of the original Sweepstakes car and a showcase of the Bronco Raptor 4600 off‑road racer. - In Miami, Max Verstappen drove the Red Bull car equipped with Ford‑developed power units to a fifth‑place finish, the team’s best result of the season so far. - The partnership between Ford and Red Bull places the team fourth in the Formula 1 constructors’ championship, holding 30 points as of May 5. - Marketing manager Kelsey Ruder described the simultaneous Derby and Grand Prix weekend as “a huge weekend for Ford,” emphasizing the excitement around the F1 return. - Late‑night host Jimmy Fallon, a Ford partner, recorded a 160‑mph hot lap in the Red Bull car and will feature the segment on "The Tonight Show."

What It Means Ford’s dual‑event push signals a strategic effort to leverage high‑visibility platforms for its racing brand. By aligning with both horse racing heritage and modern Formula 1 technology, Ford aims to translate track innovations into consumer vehicles, a pattern repeated since its early 20th‑century racing successes. The fifth‑place finish and fourth‑place standing demonstrate that the Red Bull partnership is delivering competitive performance, reinforcing Ford’s claim of a “powerful statement” on the global stage. As the season progresses, Ford’s ability to convert on‑track results into marketable technology will be a key metric.

Looking ahead, watch the upcoming United States Grand Prix at Austin for Ford’s next opportunity to improve its points tally and gauge the impact of its racing program on future vehicle development.