Ford is gearing up for a huge Detroit showcase this January, confirming that its 2026 motorsport season launch will include the reveal of an all-new Ford Racing production car.
The event will take place at the recently renovated Michigan Central Station, coinciding with the 2026 Detroit Auto Show. Ford describes the presentation as a way to “complement the energy” of the show — though it may just steal the spotlight.
A massive motorsport moment
The launch marks one of Ford’s boldest returns to racing in decades. For the first time ever, both Red Bull teams will unveil their 2026 Formula 1 cars powered by Red Bull Ford engines. It will be Ford’s first presence in F1 in over 20 years — a major milestone for the brand.
Alongside the F1 reveal, Ford plans to showcase its 2026 NASCAR entries, GT3-spec Mustangs, and Dakar rally vehicles, promising fans a look at “the entire lineup” of its racing programs.
A mysterious new road car
Adding to the excitement, Ford says it will give fans an “exclusive sneak peek” at a new roadgoing model from Ford Racing — a car that integrates race-bred innovations into everyday driving.
While Ford hasn’t confirmed what the car will be, speculation is already running high. The company has hinted that it won’t simply be another Mustang variant, as the track-focused Mustang GTD already fills that niche. Instead, enthusiasts suspect it could be a spiritual successor to the legendary Ford GT — the halo car that stunned audiences in 2005 and again in 2016.
Given the hybrid nature of modern Formula 1 powertrains, it seems likely this new model will feature some form of electrification, much like how the GT’s EcoBoost V6 reflected the brand’s early embrace of downsized turbo engines.
Ford’s racing vision
Mark Rushbrook, Ford’s global director of racing, described the upcoming season as “the most ambitious and electrifying era in Ford Racing history.”
“The racetrack is our ultimate proving ground,” Rushbrook said. “We’re fast-tracking developments that will soon be under the hood and in the chassis of your next Ford. Our vision for Ford Racing is not just a concept — it’s a tangible reality.”
Whatever the mystery model turns out to be, expectations are sky-high. Ford seems poised to deliver another once-in-a-decade performance icon — a fitting way to kick off what could be its most dynamic racing era yet.
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