Ricciardo strengthens Ford relationship as Red Bull’s 2026 spotlight returns

10:01, 15 Jan

byOlly Darcy

Daniel Ricciardo looks set to strengthen his ties to Ford and Formula 1 amid a return to the Red Bull spotlight, just hours before the Austrian team's 2026 launch.

"Ford’s passion for motorsports is very apparent. But what excites me most is how they continue to find ways of having fun."

- Daniel Ricciardo

The Australian was already reunited with his former team in a YouTube video, taking on several challenges with Max Verstappen and Arvid Lindblad in collaboration with Ford.

Now, the 36-year-old appears poised to deepen those ties with Ford and Red Bull Racing ahead of the Austrian team’s 2026 launch.

Ricciardo's clothing brand, Enchanté, has teased on social media that a collaboration with Ford is to be announced on January 15.

Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen as teammates at the 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

“For me, racing was always about having fun. It made me happy and created memories that will last a lifetime," the Australian stated in an Instagram post.

“That’s why I love Ford. Some of my favourite memories are road tripping behind the wheel of my Raptor.

“From F1 to Dakar and from Le Mans to Bathurst, Ford’s passion for motorsports is very apparent. But what excites me most is how they continue to find ways of having fun.”

The post concluded by teasing an announcement that is expected to come out on the same date as Red Bull's 2026 car launch: “Enchanté x Ford Racing. 1.15.26.”

Ricciardo with Red Bull ties once again

Ricciardo has become one of the more memorable F1 stars during his time in the pinnacle of motorsport, having started 257 Grands Prix in his career and gone on to win eight races over 14 seasons.

However, after being replaced by Liam Lawson following the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, the Australian officially retired from motorsport in September 2025.

But during that announcement, the Perth-born man stated that he had become an ambassador of Ford, staying tied to the world of motorsport.

Red Bull, along with their sister team Racing Bulls, will be the first two teams to launch their 2026 machines, doing so in Detroit, USA, the home of Ford.

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